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FOR THE PEOPLE 1

FOR EDVCATION

FOR SCIENCE

LIBRARY

THE AMERICAN MUSEUM

NATURAL HISTORY

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Victorian Naturalist:

THE JOURNAL & MAGAZINE

OF THE

-wot.. XM.

MAY, 1903, TO APRIL, 1904.

1bon. jEDitor : MR. F. Q. A. Barnard.

The Author of each Article is responsible for the facts and
opinions recorded.

/IR e I b 0 u r n e :
WALKER, MAY k CO., PRINTERS, MAOKILLOP STREET

(off 390 LITTLE COLLINS STREET).
1904.

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INDEX TO VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

^TOXj.

2^:^.

1908-4.

■AGE 1

PAGE

Acacia inoidanu, A ]

N'ew

Field Naturalists' Club-

Variety of -

Excursions —

Alpine Flora of Australia

and

Cheltenham - - -

Europe, Coiuparison

of -

Clifton Hill Quarries -

Alpine Flora, Origin of

142

Dr. Home's Aviaries

Alpine Flowers, Among

the

Greensborough

Ainytis (jiyantura

138

Launching Place -

116

Amytis (/oydcri -

137

Ring wood _ - _

Arnytis house i

13S

8andringham

100

Amytis laurruiirus

138

Wandong - _ _

103

Amytis modesta -

137

Yan Yean - - 1 59,

165

Amytis striatus -

13(5

Exhibition of Wild Flowers

i 87

Amytis ti'xtilis

13.3

President's Address

Anopheles in Victoria -

162

Proceedings, 1, 13, 33, 45,

61,

Ants. The Bull-, of Victoria -

104

73,85, 97, 113, 129, 141,

161

Australia, Across

Flowers, Among the Alpine

Australian Animals, "Whence

Fossils at Hexham, Cainozoic

; 91

Came Our -

Grass-Wrens, The

133

Bogong, Visit to Mount

■-

156

HesperidiB, Descriptions of

Buffalo Mts. Camp-Out

144

Australian - - -

Botany - - -

152

Jli'teranyinjiha 'iiieropt -

174

Cryj)togaiiiic Botany

loi)

Jlcteroiiymjilia philerope

175

Entomology -

150

Melbourne Dust - - -

Ornithology -

148

Minerals in Red Rain -

Pond-life

151

Mollusca, Victorian Marine

Buffalo Mts. , Flora of

152

Mosquitoes - - 162,

176

Butterflies, Colour Varia-

Mount Hotham, Flora of -

tions of Victorian

173

Mount Roland, Tasmania,

Cainozoic Fossils at Hexham

Visit to - - _

Close Season for Game

113,

162

Mushroom, The So-called

Cuttlefish, An Extinct

Petrified - - -

(Jythcrclla punctata

163

Mutton-birds - - -

166

Diatoms in Red Rain -

Mynnecia forjicata

105

Dromicia on Australian

MyrriK'cia sanguinea

105

Mainland

176

National Forests Protection

Eels, Notes on -

League - - 4.':

i, 45

Field Naturalists' Club-

Notes—

Annual Report

A.A.A.S. - - - 128,

140

Excursions —

Acanthornis mayna -

140

Beaumaris -

165

Anyuilla australis

132

Buffalo Mts.

144

Auloiiorella tubuli/era

INDEX.

PAflE

PAGE

Xotes—

Notes —

Australian Spiders -

140

Ptotifer Record, A -

Bclenois Jtina - - -

11. J

Starlings - _ _

115

Birchip Heterocera -

Swallow, The White-backed 75

Boys' Field Club of South

Timber-growing in South

Australia - - _

Australia - . _

112

Brachiunus falcatita -

[yna (Kjricola - - 63

, 96

Capusa senilis - - -

Vine Moth, Enemy of

Cicadas (Locusts)

Obituary Notices —

Colour Variety of Common

Ash worth. The late H.

Eel - - - -

140

P. C. - - - 72

, 83

Daisy. The - - -

Cayley, The late N.

Diatom, A Fossil

Origin of Alpine Flora

142

" Do Snakes Swallow their

Phillip Island, Visits to

166

Young ? " -

132

Publications — *

Dromaiis ati-r - - -

Agricultural (fazdte of Neiv

Echinoderms, King Island

South Wa/rs - - 16

, 60

"Emeu," The Black

.57

Australian Nature Stories

Exchange _ _ _

for Children

112

Galls on Eucalypts -

Emu, Tlie _ _ _

Granite Monolith, A

Jourmd of A<jriciilture,

Hdiotlirls ariniycra -

115

Victoria _ _ _

How Mushrooms Grow -

139

Nests and Eggs of Birds

Marsupials, Destruction of 112

Found Breeding in Aus-

Microscope _ _ _

131

tralia and Tasmania

Mueller Medal, The -

128

Notes on Natui'al History

Mushroom, A Giant

of Western Australia

Mussels - - - -

li5

Records of Geological Sur-

Nature Study - - -

128

vey of Victoria

Personal —

Red Rain in Victoria 17, 42

, 84

French, F.L.S., Mr. C.-

140

Siberia, Summer Journey in

131

Hall, Mr. E. 43, 72,

111

Spirulirostra _ _ _

Hector, Sir J. - -

Telesto mdania .- - -

Searle, Mr. J. - -

Telesto moittirolu - - -

Spry, Mr. F. . -

175

Trapezitt'S muhcbt

Fieri s tcutonia

115

Tree-line in Australian Alps

Pimthn sjMitJiuJ'atft -

Victorian Bull-Ants -

104

Polyzoa, A New Genus of

Victorian Marine Mollusca,

PrusophijUum archeri

Additions to - -

Present-day Cave-dwellers

' ' Whence Came Our Aus-

Ilomitlca hiiUiocodimn

tralian Animals ?"

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Diatoms, &c., from Red Rain
Sediments, &c. , from Rod Rain -

the Uktorian naturalist

\^0L. XX.— No. 1. MAY 7, 1903. No. 233.

FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA,

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in the Royal
Society's Hall on Monday evening, 20th April, 1903. The
president, Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., occupied the chair, and about
fifty members and visitors were present.

REPORTS.

A report of the excursion to Sydenham on Saturday, 14th
March, was given by the leader, Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., who said
that there had been a good attendance of members, who spent a
very pleasant afternoon in examining the extremely fine basalt
columns on the Saltwater River {Victorian Ifaturalist, xvii.,
p. 120). Some fine photographs taken on the occasion were
exhibited.

A report of the excursion to Heidelberg on Saturday, 28th
March, in the absence of the leader, Mr. J. Shephard, was given
by Mr. W. Strickland, who said that, notwithstanding the very
unpropitious weather, the members had been successful in secur-
ing specimens of the Rotifer, Pedalion sp., which was the principal
object of their search.

The hon. librarian reported the receipt of the following
donations to the library : — " Geological Survey of Victoria," New
Series, vol. i., part i, from Department of Mines, Victoria ; The
Finn, vol. ii., part 4, April, 1903, from the Australasian Ornith-
ologists' Union; "Proceedings Linnean Society of New South
Wales," vol. xxvii., part 4, from the society; "Forest Flora of
New South Wales," part ii., by J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., Govern-
ment Botanist, -from the author ; " Critical Revision of Genus
Eucalyptus," part i., by J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., from the author;
" Sydney Botanic Gardens — Biographical Notes concerning
Ofiicers in Charge," parts i. to iv., by J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., from
the author ; The Agi-iculturcd Gazette of New South Wales, March,
1903, from the Department of Agriculture, New South Wales ;
" Proceedings Royal Society of Queensland," vol. vii., part 2,
from the society; Nature Notes, February and March, 1903,
from the Selborne Society, London; Knowledge, March, 1903,
from the proprietors.

ELECTION OF MEMBERS.

On a ballot being taken. Miss Maud M. Clark, " High
Wycombe Lodge," Fernhill-road, Sandringham ; Messrs. E. A.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

Anderson, " Clovelly," Kintore-street, Camberwell ; W. F. Coles,
33 Little Smith-street, Richmond ; J. F. Corben, State school,
Moonee Ponds ; B. Nicholls, 80 Story-street, Brunswick ; and
J. B. Swan, " Alma," Selborne-street, Coburg, were duly elected
members of the Club.

PAPERS READ.

1. By Mr. D. M'Alpine, entitled "On the So-called Petrified
Mushroom."

The author described an object which was recently found at
Bridgewater, Western Victoria, and regarded locally as a
petrified mushroom. In general appearance it somewhat
resembled a mushroom, even to the stalk. However, after a
microscopical examination, he had decided it to be a woody
excrescence, popularly known as a burr, gnaur, &c., found on
various kinds of trees.

The president, Mr. T. S. Hall, was of opinion that the specimen
was a root of Kelp, which, when dry and exposed, becomes
extremely hard, and the tissue of which closely resembles that of
wood.

Mr. H. T. Tisdall agreed with the opinion expressed by Mr.
Hall, and stated that he had seen pieces of the root of Kelp
almost identical with the specimen dealt with.

Mr. R. A. Bastow stated that he had recently seen large
numbers of pieces of Kelp roots at Flinders, which were very
similar to the one dealt with by Mr. M'Alpine.

2. By Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., entitled " An Extinct Cuttlefish."
The author described a very rare fossil Cephalopod,

" Spirulirostra," which he found at Torquay, near Geelong, and,
with a view to making his remarks more easily understood, gave
a general outline of the Cephalopoda, both recent and extinct,
aided by several large diagrams and specimens of typical and
well-known genera of this group.

He was thus able to clearly demonstrate its affinities with the
better-known species of both living and extinct Cuttlefishes. The
only other representative of the genus, the author stated, was
found in the Miocene at Turin, Italy, and is extremely rare.

The author's remarks were listened to with much interest, and
discussed by Messrs. O. A. Sayce, F. VVisewould, J. H. Gatliff,
D. Le Souef, and G. Coghill.

NATURAL HISTORY NOTES.

Mr. F. C. Christy contributed a lengthy note dealing with the
protection of the Black Duck, in which he advocated an extension
of the period (ist February) during which the ducks are protected.

Mr. G. A. Keartland, whilst endorsing some of Mr. Cliristy's
statements, pointed out that ist February was practically a com-

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

promise arrived at by the late conference of sportsmen, field
naturalists, &c., and was at all events an improvement on 21st
December.

Mr. D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., called attention to the Pacific Gulls
in the Zoological Gardens, which at present showed their different
stages of plumage.

EXHIBITS.

By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. — Pot-grown orchid, Pterostylis
grandijiora.

By C. French, jun. — Orthopterous insect, Acridopeza reticulata,
from Hamilton district ; also set of three eggs of Rainbow Pitta,
from Port Darwin, showing blotches of brown colour, instead of
the ordinary markings.

By Mr. C. J. Gabriel. — Shells, Dolahella gigas and D. 7'umphii,
from Mauritius ; I schnochiton conspicuus, North America ; and
Victorian species of the family Naticidae, from Western Port.

By Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A. — Specimens of recent and fossil
Cephalopoda, including a Spirulirostra from Torquay, in illustra-
tion of his paper.

By Mr. G. A. Keartland. — Skins of Nanodes discolor, Glossop-
sittacus piisillus, G. jwrjjhyrocejjhalus, G. concinnus, Ptilotis
Jlava, Meliphaga phrygia, and Melithreptus lunulatus, all shot
from one tree, near Eltham. The first-named Lorikeet is a very
young specimen, thus indicating that these birds probably breed
in the district.

By Mr. D. M'Alpine. — Specimen of the so-called Petrified
Mushroom, in illustration of his paper.

By Mr. F. M. Reader. — Fourteen species of dried plants,
showing normal and abnormal types, with short explanatory
notes, viz. : — Cassinia acideata, R. Br., var. adpressa ; Cypcrus
vaginatns, R. Br. ; Distichlis maritima, Rat. ; Polygoyium lainus,
Hinds. ; Stackliousia Jlava, Hook. ; Carduiis lanceolatus, L. ;
Deyauxia forsteri, Kunth. ; Hypochoiris radicata, L. ; H. glabra,
L. ; Plantago major, L. ; Polygonum aviculare, L. ; Rumex
acetosella, L. ; Sonchus oleraceus, L. ; Verbasciim hlattaria, L.

By Mr. C. Walter. — A new species of Acacia, A. d'altoni, Walter,
from the Wimmera district, collected by Mr. St. Eloy D'Alton, of
Dimboola ; and Acacia sclerophylla, Lindley, for comparison.

After the usual conversazione, the meeting terminated.

Correction. — The letter "S." (south) should be substituted
for " N.W." in Mr. Walter's exhibit in April Naturalist.

It is announced that the control of the Government Botanist's
branch (Victoria) has been transferred from the Chief Secretary
to the Minister of Agriculture.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

AMONG THE ALPINE FLOWERS.
By F. G. a. Barnard and C. S. Sutton, M.l].
{Read he/ore the Field Naturalists' Cluh of Victoria, dth March, WWi.)
Ever since hearing Mr. C. Wallet's paper on his trip to the
Alps and Buffalo Mountains {Vict. Nat., xvi., p. i8), and the
concluding sentence of Mr. J. H. Maiden's paper on his visit to
Mount Hotham, &c. {Vict. Nat., xvii., p. 47), in which he
urged every Victorian botanist to visit the Alps, and thereby
gain expansion of ideas, we had longed for the opportunity to
follow in their footsteps.

This came at Christmas time, when our fellow-member, Mr. G.
Weindorfer, asked us to join him in a short holiday in the Alps.
We therefore left town on Christmas Eve, fully equipped for four
days' collecting in the Bright district. Reaching Bright in the
small hours of Christmas morning, we had a few hours' rest, and
then started on the sixteen-mile drive to Harrietville, the first
stage on the way to the Alps.

Of course the first plant to attract our attention was the
introduced plant St. John's Wort, Hypericum 'perforatum, Linn.,
which, escaping from a cottage garden, has overrun the district,
and in many parts entirely taken possession of the soil. Along
the water-races for mining purposes, so numerous in the district,
was noticed a tree acacia, Acacia pravissima, F. v. M., somewhat
like A. armata, R. Br., bearing large quantities of seed-pods.
Some fine plants of Typha anyustifvlia, L., were passed, and
near Stony Creek some fine bushes of the Prickly Box, Bursaria
spiiiosa, Cav., in full bloom.

The vegetation along the road was of the ordinary slringy-bark
ranges character, and it was not until we left Harrietville, and
commenced the ascent of the range leading to Mount St. Bernard,
that we began to find a somewhat different flora. A twelve-mile
walk was now before us. By mistake we passed the turn-off of
the Omeo-road, so took a short cut straight up the spur. Here
Fersoonia coifertiflora, Benth., F. cJiavioipuce, Shot., and F.
juniperina. Lab. (in fruit), formed our first specimens. Fine
spikes oi Lomalia ilicifolia, R. Br., were fairly abundant, and tiie
orchid, Dijjodiuvi pu')ictatum., R. Br., was also noted. ALiking
for the old (up|)er) road, we passed numerous leguminaceous
shrubs, but all past their flowering period.

An elevation of some 3,000 feet is gained in the first tiiree
miles of this road, and we were not sorry to reach a spring by the
roadside, which made a welcome halting place tor our mid-day
meal. Continuing on, numerous familiar plants were seen
growing in the roadside cuttings. At about six miles we reached
a small quartz battery connected with a mine upon the hillside.
Here lliere was another welcome spring. From here the
vegetation began to improve, from a botanist's point of view.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST,

The Native Pepper, Drimys aromatica, F. v. M., and
Persoonia arhorea, F. v. M., were obtained as fruit specimens.
Presently we were attracted by the bushes of Helichrysum stir-
lingii, F. v. M., bearing their corymbs of pure white flowers — a
really handsome shrub, but its viscid leaves make it an awkward
plant for the collector. Helichrysum rosma7'inifolium, Less., was
also an attractive shrub, laden with masses of small white flowers,
densely crowded into compound corymbs like so many miniature
snowballs. Near here specimens of Gaultiera hispida, R. Br.,
one of our only two representatives of the true heaths (Ericaceae)
was obtained in fruit ; these when ripe are snowy-white. Now
the hillside was covered with Veronica derwentia, Little, inter-
spersed with Pimelea linifolia, Smith, both in full bloom, while
another white-flowered shrub, Aster megalophyllus, F. v. M., was
also very attractive. Presently the splendid orange pea-shaped
flowers of Oxylobium alpestre, F. v. M., were very prominent
amongst the vegetation lining the road. The Blue-bell, Wahlen-
hergia gracilis, D. C, was abundant, but much larger and of a
deeper blue than in the lower country. The flowers of the
Trigger Plant, Candollea {Stylidiuia) serridata, Lab., were of the
deepest shade of pink — in fact, they might have been termed
crimson. Down in the valley towards the Ovens an occasional
tree fern, Alsophila australis, R. Br., could be seen rearing its
head above the undergrowth, while in the road cuttings Aspidium
actoleatum, Swartz, was the dominant fern, only a few Lnmaria
discolor, Willd., being present.

The scenery as we ascended was very fine. The road is cut
along the eastern side of the range, which runs almost due north
and south. Far down in the valley was the Ovens, while on the
other side about four miles away is another parallel ridge
known as the " Razorback," connecting Mounts Feathertop and
Hotham, both of which were now in view, but considerably
higher. Presently, from the end of a spur jutting out somewhat
further than usual, we got our first glimpse of Mount St. Bernard,
our destination for the day, but still some miles away. Goodenia
hederacea, Smith, with deep orange flowers, is noticed trailing
over the rocks, and ArtJbrojiodinm panictdatum, R. Br., with pale
lilac flowers, is added to our list. The eucalypts met with have
been dealt with so fully by Mr. Maiden in his paper that it is not
necessary to say much now ; however, we could not help noticing
a change in the tree vegetation which occurred about half a mile
before reaching the hospice, when the tall straight stems of
Eucalyptus amydaliria, Lab., gave place to the several twisted
and spreading stems of E. coriacea, A. Cunn., known as the Snow
Gum, and probably marking the limit of the winter snow line.
These trees have very white bark, and grow up the hillside at the
back of the hospice, and all over the summit of St. Bernard.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

The last mile of the road was both steep and rough, but we
thoroughly enjoyed our walk, which had taken us just six hours,
the invigorating nature of the mountain air making the task an
easy one. After tea, arranging the specimens in blotting paper
and tracing out the unfamiliar ones by the aid of the " Key "
occupied the greater part of the evening, and, the air being sharp
and bracing, we enjoyed a good night's rest.

During an early morning ramble next day we visited the spring
just below the hospice, which forms the source of the Ovens
River, and collected fine specimens of the little fern, Lomaria
aljnna, Spreng., with its spore fronds. Here also were fine bushes
of Helidirysiim rosniarinifolium, Less., laden with flowers, as
also Leptospermum myr.nnoides, Schlecht., and Fimelea ligustrina,
Labill.

After an early breakfast we started off for Mount Hotham
(locally known as " Baldy " ), some five miles distant, and about
I, ICG feet higher. Just past the hospice a road descends on the
right into the Dargo Valley, and so on to Gippsland, but our
road was along the main ridge of the Alps in a north-easterly
direction. The views' as we proceeded were very fine, now down
into the Ovens valley, then down into the Dargo, and so on.

We soon began to add to our botanical collections. Our
friend of the lowlands was here, Euphrasia brownii, F. v. M.,
but so much larger and whiter. Of that aromatic shrub, Drimys
aromatica, F. v. M., our only representative of the Magnoli-
ace?e, we were destined to see several forms during the day.
Colour was lent to the scene by quantities of the orange
Oxylobium aljjestre, F. v. M., another solely N.E. plant. Just
below the road grew magnificent specimens of Craspedia richea,
Cass ; some of the flowers must have been at least an inch and a
half across, and of the deepest orange colour. In contrast to
them were the deep blue flowers of Dianella. tasmanica, J. Hook.
The daisies, Brachycome scapiforniis, D. C., and B. ciliaris, Less.,
grew on the slopes. The fern Aspidium acnJeatum, Swartz,
grew in quantities in the crevices of the rock cuttings as we
ascended, while Helipterum incanum, D. C. (var. aui'iceps),
was abundant.

On a hillside grew Daviesia ulicitia, Smith, well known on the
heath ground at Sandringham, but as vigorous as ever here over
5,000 feet above sea-level. Two shrubs, peculiar to the N.E.,
now attracted our attention, growing among the rocks and
seeming to cling to them for protection from the strong wind so
prevalent in this region. The one, Borunia algida, F. v. M.,
crowded with pretty pink flowers ; the other, Weslringia senifolia,
F. V. M., with white or very pale lilac labiate flowers.

We now came to Mount Blowhard, and from our experience
on a comparatively calm day we can quite understand how the

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

mount got its name, for the wind seemed to rush up out of the
valley at a great rate, and the Snow Gums are bent over at a very
sharp angle with the hillside. The road used to go round the
Gippsland side of the mount, and was then very exposed, but a
new road has been cut out of the northern face, the silurian rocks,
here of a very slaty character, easily splitting into very thin layers.
On the southern slope of the mountain were growing numbers
of an herbaceous aster, Astei- celmisia, F. v. M., with large, hand-
some daisy-like white flowers and silvery leaves, forming a very
attractive sight. Among them grew Stackhousia linari/olia,
Cunn., and a few specimens of the curious umbellifer, Aciphylla
ylacialis, F. v. M.

Further on a slight soakage below the road was gay with
Everlastings, Daisies, Blue-bells, Craspedias, &c. Passing a patch
of dwarf eucalypts, we came upon some fine masses of Orites
lancifolia, F. v. M., a proteaceous shrub restricted to the N.E.,
bearing masses of sweet-smelling creamy-white flowers, somewhat
resembling a Grevillea. This was sufficiently abundant in places to
make patches of pale yellow on the distant hillsides. Another
shrub attracted us by the colour of its buds, which were of a deep
maroon colour, gradually becoming lighter as the flowering time
approached. This completely puzzled us, but we afterwards
learned that it was a dwarf form of Ilelichrysum rosmarini/olium,
Less., which we had admired so much on the road to St.
Bernard.

Finally, turning a corner, the bold mass of Mount Hotham
loomed up before us, with a large flock of travelling sheep feeding
on its grassy slopes. We made a slight detour to a spring in
Glen Loch, one of the sources of the Dargo ; here among the
moist rocks were the ferns Aspidium aculeatum, Swartz, and
Lomaria alpina, Spreng., while around on the adjacent slopes
grew fine specimens of Fimelea ligustrina, Labill., Aster celmisia,
F. V. M., &c. A curious form of Drimys aromaiica, F. v. M.,
grew here also. The different forms some plants assume in these
high regions are very confusing to the collector on his first visit.

Returning to the road, we followed round the northern face of
the mountain, getting a fine view of the " Razorback," Mount
Feathertop, and the Diamentina Spring, the head of the Kiewa
River. Conspicuous among the flowering shrubs, towards the
summit of the mountain, was Kunzea nmdleri, Bentham, a
myrtaceous shrub with pale yellow flowers, growing in large
hummocky masses. Eriostemon inyopoi'oides, Candolle, and
Epacris ser2)illi/olia, R. Br., were also collected here.

We were now within a few hundred yards of the cairn marking
the highest part of mountain (6, loo feet above sea-level), which
without the cairn would be difficult to locate, owing to the
slightly rounded form of the summit. Leaving the road, we

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

wandered over the treeless bald top of the mount, little thinking,
as we afterwards learned (Lendenfeld, " An Exploration of the
Victorian Alps," Reports of Mining Registrars, Victoria, March,
1886) that we were traversing one of the oldest land surfaces on
the earth. The panorama from the cairn was magnificent, and
surely must be hard to beat in Australia. Mountains of all sizes
and shapes in every direction. The peculiar peaks of Mount
Buffalo away to the north-west at once attracted attention, while
the bold mass of Mount Kosciusko was plainly visible about 75
miles away to the north-east. What must have been the feeling
of our late patron, then Dr. F. Mueller, when he stood on this
mount nearly fifty years before, the first white man to tread its
grassy top and gather specimens of its singular alpine flora.

Round about us grew the rare umbellifer, Aciphylla glacialis,
F. V. M., and the pincushion-like patches of the Victorian
Edelweiss, Leontojiodium catipes, F. v. M. ; but what a tiny
flower in comparison to the European Edelweiss, the delicate
daisy-like headlets only about j^V of an inch across. The wind
was very boisterous on top of the mount, and made collecting
very unpleasant ; we therefore made our way down the southern
slope to the highest source of the Dargo, trying to find a sheltered
spot in which to boil our billy, but finally had to make for the
spring we had visited in the morning. Near the higher spring we
collected Epacris heteronema, Lab., Slyphelia montana, F. v. M.,
and Brachycome nivalis, F. v. M. Fine patches of Oxylobium
alpestre, F. v. M., grew around on the hillsides, brightening the
scene with its orange flowers. Among other plants collected in
this vicinity were Cardamine dictyosperma, Hooker ; Epilobium
glabeUicm, L. (very fine specimens) ; also Epacris mucronidata,
R. Br. ; Slyphelia macraei, F. v. M. ; and Gnaphalium alpigenum,
F. v. M., all N.E. plants.

We returned to the hospice late in the afternoon, thoroughly
pleased with our first visit to the Victorian Alps, greatly regretting
that our brief holiday would not allow of further exploration
round about. The rocky pinnacle of Mt. Smyth close at hand, or
the deep gorge of the Wongungarra on the Gippsland side of St.
Bernard, seemed to ofter opportunities to the botanical collector,
but we could not avail ourselves of them. The evening was again
spent in arranging the plants, and as we had to leave soon after
daylight in the morning, in order to catch the coach from Harriet-
ville at 9 a.m., it was necessary to make up our packages as far
as possible overnight.

Leaving the hospice at the early hour of 5.30 a.m., we had a
glorious walk down the road, but our packages were heavy and
needed frequent adjustment, and little could be done in the way
of collecting, except to secure a few seed specimens of shrubs
as we passed. These were principally acacias, including A.

THE VICTORIAN NATUllALIST. 9

penninervis, Sieber, A. ammna, Wendland, A. alpina, F. v.
M., A. prominens, and A. vermicifltta, Cunn. Acacia alpina,
F. V. M., was obtained at Mt. Blowhard. We did not see any
grasses in bloom. We were back in Bright by midday, and late
in the afternoon got a conveyance to drive us out to Porepunkah,
from which we intended to visit Mount Buffalo. Making
Manfield's Temperance Hotel, within sound of the Eurobin
Creek, our headquarters, we were soon enjoying a dip in the
clear stream, and admiring the bushes of Breckea crenatifolia,
F. V. M., covered with sprays of beautiful white flowers, along
the banks of the creek — a shrub well worth trying in the
Botanical Gardens, if not already there. Lomatia longi/olia,
R. Br., was found in full bloom, as also Leptospermum atteniiatum,
Smith.

Next morning during an early stroll we were delighted to find
growing in a boggy piece of ground only a few yards from the
house a splendid spike of the somewhat rare orchid, Spiranthes
aitstralis, Lindley, its delicate magenta and white flowers being
particularly attractive. Careful searcii revealed two others, but
not quite so fully in bloom as the first. These were carefully
placed in blotting paper before starting on our hill-climbing.

The Buft'alo Mountains, which do not belong to the Alps
proper, were first seen and named by Hume and Hovell, on thtir
memorable exploring trip to Port Phillip in December, 1824.
This range presents greater difticulties to the tourist than the
Alps, and the usual route for the ascent, known as " Staker's
Track," is a good test of one's athletic powers. For the first
mile or two the track is very steep, with no reward for the
botanist — that is, nothing uncommon, if we except a fine specimen
of Bxocarpus stricta, R. Br., then bearing its pale lilac fruits,
just at the foot of the track.

In about two miles we passed from the silurian to the granitic
formation, which was immediately marked by a change in the
flora. Lomatia ilicifolia, R. Br., was very fine, and at the first
water, one of the sources of the Buffalo Creek, we collected
specimens of Astrotricha ledifoUa, D. C, Hibbertia hillardieri,
F. V. M., Grevillea parvijlura, R. Br., and the fern Cheilanthes
tenuifolia, Swartz.

'i-. The track now takes a north-westerly course for some distance,
finally turning up the gorge between the main range and the False
Buffalo, winding about between huge blocks of granite. Tracliy-
mene billardieri, F. v. M., was very plentiful here, and is a pretty
little umbelliferous shrub. A solitary specimen of the fern
Davallia duhia, R. Br., was noticed growing in a crevice of the
granite. A little further on we came to a spring, which we named
" Osmunda Spring," from the characteristic feature of its vegeta-
tion. A few hundred yards further Gleichenia ch-civala, Swariz,

10 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

occurred in sufficient abundance to give its name to another
spring. Some beautiful specimens of Goodenia elongala, Labill.,
grew alongside the track. The next spring we have called
" Grevillea Spring," on account of the bushes of Grevillea parvi-
Jiora, F. v. M., growing alongside. We then came to a little flat,
which bore quite a crimson tinge from the quantities of Gandollea
serrulata, Lab., growing on it ; in fact, so plentiful was this plant
that we considered the spot well worthy of the name " Gandollea
Flat." Bosskua Joliosa, Cunn., a brilliant-flowered species, grew
here also in quantities, along with Gompholobuim huegelii,
Bentham, and altogether the scene was very gay. When the
tourist reaches this flat he can consider his troubles nearly over,
for in another hundred yards the top is reached, when, though
you may have read all the guide-book descriptions of the scene,
you are quite unprepared for the sight which bursts suddenly upon
you. At Christmas we seemed to emerge suddenly upon an
apparently grassy meadow, dotted witli everlastings and daisies of
different hues, here and there brilliant flowering shrubs, with a
deep, clear stream winding through it. On the further side is
Carlisle's Buffalo Hospice, backed up by the singular pile of
rocks known as the " Look-out," while all around is a sort of
enclosing wall of granite rocks, among which grow numerous
eucalyptus trees.

Descending a little on to this plateau, as it were from the edge
of a saucer, we leisurely made our way to the far-famed gorge,
admiring the many floral novelties alongside the path. The view
from the gorge must be seen to be understood, and as it was now
past midday we determined to have lunch and admire the view
at the same time, and botanize afterwards. We were here about
4,500 feet above sea level, or about 3,500 feet above our starting
point in the morning. The highest peak of tiie Buffalo, known as
the " Horn," about five miles to the south-west, rises to the height
of 5,645 feet, and affords a magnificent view of the surrounding
country. This also Dr. Mueller, as he then was, was the first to
ascend, early in 1853. But one requires to spend at least a couple
of days on the summit to visit all the curious rocks, and climb
the Hump and the Horn, and see the other notable sights. The
mountain has a grandeur of its own totally different to any other
range in Victoria. We were pleased to find, on returning to town
and referring to the parish plan (Wandiligong), that 2,880 acres,
including the Eurobin Falls, the Gorge, "Look-out" rocks, and
the meadow-like depression mentioned, have been permanently
reserved as a National Park.

Now for some of the botanical treasures within easy reach of a
one-day visit. Close by the gorge, growing in every crevice of
the granite where there was a little soil, was the pretty pink
and white everlasting, Ilelichrysum leucopsidium, D. C., while

THE VICTORIAN NATDRALIST. 11

Oxylohium alpestre, F. v. M., seemed more brilliant than ever.
Not far away we secured a great rarity in Prostauthera tvalteri,
F. V. M., curious on account of its large greenish flowers. This
shrub had only been recorded twice before, originally by Mr. C.
Walter, on Mount EUery, East Gippsland, and subsequently in
New South Wales. Kunzea 7nuelleri, Bentham, was here much
finer than on Mount Hotham, probably through not being so
exposed to the wind. Only one or two plants of Kunzea corifolia,
Reich., with purple flowers, were met with ; this has not previously
been recorded from the N.E. Another yellow-flowered shrub
was Eriostemon alpinis, F. v. M., while Comesperma retusum,
Lab., was much dwarfer and of a deeper magenta than C.
ericinum, D. C. The curious Epacrid, Richea gunnii, J.
Hooker, with singular yellowish-white flowers, grew in large
patches in the swampy ground. A large composite, Podolepis
longipedata, R. Br., was not quite open. The rare Veronica nivea,
Lindley, with pale lavender flowers, was not very plentiful. Perhaps
one of the most charming flowers met with on the summit was
Epacris heteronema, Lab., with clusters of flowers of the purest
white ; this grew principally along the banks of the stream. Spren-
gelia incarnata, Smith, was quite at home in the boggy ground. The
Eriostemons, E. trymalioides, F. v. M., E. j^hulicifolius, F. v. M.,
and E. myoporoid es, F. v. M., were all met with ; but then more
than half our Eriostemons are found in the N.E. division, while
several are peculiar to it only. Bceckea gunniana, Schauer,
with minute flowers, and B. diffusa, Sieber, the leaves of the
former having a very pleasant odour, were added to our list.
Gaultiera hispida, R. Br., was found in fruit. The umbellifers,
Oreomyrrhis andicola, Endlicher, and Daucus brachiatus,
Sieber, were found in fruit only. Sccevola hooJceri, F. v. M.,
belonging to the Goodeniaceae, was fairly common. A very
small plant was Pidtencea fasciculaia, Benth. Amongst the
orchids were found Prasophylhim foiscum, R. Br., P. patens,
R. Br., P. alpinum, and Thelymitra longifolia, Forster. The
only Drosera found was D.peltata, Smith. Claytonia australasica.
Hooker, was growing almost in the water. The leaves only of
Caltha introloba, F. v. M., a beautiful member of the Ranun-
culacese, were found, also a yellow-flowered variety of Diane/la
revoluta, R. Br. Diligent search was made in the numerous
depressions containing water for specimens of pond life for absent
members of the Club, but nothing was found visible to the naked
eye.

Having spent a most enjoyable afternoon wandering about this
botanist's paradise, about five o'clock we commenced the descent,
which was accomplished much more quickly than our climb in
the morning, and soon after seven we were having our final dip
in the Eurobin. Tea having been disposed of, it was necessary

12 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

to pack up and make our way back to Porepunkah township, in
order to catch the 5 a m. train on Monday morning, reaching
Melbourne again about mid-day, after an absence of almost five
days, during which we had covered nearly 500 miles.

Regarding the bird and insect Hfe met with during the trip we
have little to say, as our time was so fully occupied by the flower-
ing plants. However, among birds, an Eaglehawk was seen
soaring some hundreds of feet above the summit of Mt. Hotham,
and several King Parrots were seen between Harrietville and St.
Bernard. Some fine specimens of Orthoptera, belonging to the
Locustidae, were noticed at Mounts Blowiiard and Hotham, but
were, unfortunately, not fully developed, so were not collected.
A collector of this order should do well there about March.

If it were possible to arrange for one of the periodical extended
excursions of the Club to be held in the Bufi"alo Mountains, we
feel sure that no member who took part in it would ever regret
the expenditure of time and money necessary for the outing.
We have not attempted in this paper to describe the scenery of
the district ; that must be seen to be understood, but from the
maps and photographs exhibited to-night some idea may be
gained of its character.

In conclusion we may say, for die benefit of future visitors, that
our expenses for the trip did not amount to ^4 per head, and
then, owing to the holidays, we were obliged on three occasions to
hire special conveyances. From a health-giving point of view,
our trip was delightful, and we returned to town greatly
invigorated by the pure mountain air.

BOOK NOTICE.
Nests and Eggs of Birds Found Breeding in Australia
AND Tasmania.— Another part of this catalogue, issued by the
Trustees of the Australian Museum, Sydney, has just been
published. In this, the third part, the author, Mr. A. J. North,
C. M.Z.S., deals with the greater part of the family Muscicapidae,
and in the course of 80 pages deals with some 45 species of
Fantails, Fly-catchers, Robins, Scrub-Tits, and Bush-Warblers.
Several exquisite drawings are ii'.serted in the text, and three full-
page plates are given, depicting the nest and eggs of the Rose-
breasted Robin, the nest of the Yellow-breasted Robin, and the
nest of the White-throated Bush-Warbler, each of which are
excellent reproductions.

The retirement of Sir James Hector, K.C.M.G. (hon. member
F.N.C.), from the directorship of the Geological Survey of New
Zealand and of the Colonial Observatory is announced. Sir
fames retires on a pension, after a long period of service in
various scientific positions.

Cl)e Uktorian HaturalUi

Vol. XX.— No. 2. JUNE 4, 1903. No. 234.

FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA,
The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in the Royal
Society's Hall on Monday evening, nth May, 1903. The
president, Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., occupied the chair, and about
thirty members and visitors were present.

ELECTION OF MEMBERS.

On a ballot being taken, Mr. P. C. Cole, Napier-street, Fitzroy,
and Mr. O. A. Thiele, Williamstown, were elected as ordinary
members, and Mr. E. H. Lees, M.I.C.E., F.R.A.S., "Fairhaven,"
Mallacoota, and Mr. J. R. Murdoch, Mortlake, were elected as
country members of the Club.

GENERAL BUSINESS.

Nominations for office-bearers for 1903-4 were received, and
Messrs. D. Best and A. D. Hardy were elected to audit the
accounts for the past year.

The president mentioned with regret the death of Mr. Neville
Cayley, of Sydney, well known to ornithologists as one of the
most successful delineators of Australian bird-life.

PAPERS READ.

1. By Mr. C. Walter (communicated by Mr. C. French, jun.),
entitled " A New Variety of Acacia montana, Benth."

The author stated that, on examination of specimens of this
shrub received from Mr. D' Alton, of Nhill, he at first came to the
conclusion that it was a new species, and exhibited it as such at
the April meeting of the Club. He was led to this conclusion by
the fact that Acacia montana, Benth., is placed by Baron von
Mueller, both in the " Key to Victorian Plants" and the "Census
of Australian Plants," in the section '' Uninerves," while the
specimens under notice are distinctly " Plurinerves." On further
consideration, however, he decided that it should be recorded as
a variety of A. montana, with the name of (Taltoni, after the
original finder. Specimens of this and allied species were
exhibited for comparison.

2. By Messrs. Chapman, F.R.MS., and H. J. Grayson,
entitled "On Red Rain, with Special Reference to its Occurrence
in Victoria. With a Note on Melbourne Dust."

The authors, in an exhaustive paper, described the phenomenon
known as " red rain," and mentioned its occurrence in various
parts of the world. The origin of the recent falls in Victoria
was discussed, and details given of the microscopical examination
of the sediment collected, as well as the chemical analysis and
results of a bacteriological examination. A note on Melbourne

14 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

dust from the roof of the National Museum was appended for
the purpose of comparison. The paper was well illustrated by
a series of lantern slides.

A short discussion ensued, in which the president, Messrs.
Barnard, Hardy, Walpole, and Keartland took part.

On the motion of Messrs. J. Stickland and Barnard, a vote of
thanks was accorded to Mr. J. Searle for again placing his
lantern at the service of the club.

Owing to the lateness of the hour, Mr. G. Weindorfer's paper,
" The Physiognomy of the Australian and European Alpine
Floras Compared," was postponed until next meeting.

EXHIBITS.

By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. — Fertile frond of Elk-Horn Fern,
Platycerium alcicorne, of Queensland.

By Messrs. F. Chapman and H. J. Grayson. — Lantern slides,
photographs, microscopic slides, and red-rain sediment, in illus-
tration of their paper.

By Mr. A. Coles. — A young Wombat.

By Mr. J. A. Kershaw. — ^A " twin Mushroom," found at
Mordialloc by Mr. F. W. Baillie.

By Mr. F; M. Reader. — Dried specimens of the following
plants: — Aira minuta, Loefl., and Trifolium parviflorum, Erh.,
naturalized and new for Victoria ; also, specimens of the Egg-
pla!it, Solamtm melongera, L. ; Safiflower, Carthaimis fiiictorius,
L. ; and Cape Gooseberry, Pliysalis peruviana, L., grown in the
Wimmera.

By Mr. G. Sweet, F.G.S. — Red rain, caught on sheets of paper
at Brunswick, 28th March, 1903.

By Mr. C. Walter. — Enxalyj^tus liemijoldoia, from Somerton
district, previously recorded from N.W. and E. of Victoria;
Persoonia chamcepeuce, from Dandenong Ranges, previously
recorded from N.E. and E. of Victoria ; also, in illustration of
paper: — Acacia microcavpa, F. v. M., Wimmera District, October,
1900; A. stricta, Willd., Watts River, August, 1899 ; A. leprosa,
Sieb., Dandenong Ranges, October, 1900; A. montana, Benth.,
Bacchus Marsh, September, 1899 ; A. moiUana, Benth., van
d'alto'iti, Wimmera District ; A. sclerophylla, Lind., Wimmera
District.

After the usual conversazione, the meeting terminated.

ON THE SO-CALLED PETRIFIED MUSHROOM.
By D. M'Alpine.

{Head before the Field Naturalists'' Club of Victoria, 'IQth April, li)0;3.)
In January of this year I received from Mr. M. B. Gray, of
Hamilton, a specimen supposed to be a petrified mushroom, and

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 1 5

on that account was asked to report upon it. It certainly some-
what resembled a hardened mushroom, consisting of a stalk and
an expanded rap-like portion ; but appearances are often very
deceptive, and in this case it proved to be so.

The specimen was found at Bridgewater, Western Victoria,
about a mile from the local hotel, between the beach and the
cliffs, on a kind of irregular path frequented by numerous visitors.
The whole is of a brownish-black colour, and the cap-like portion
is roughly round, measuring 4)^ in. in diameter, convex and
broken up into numerous blunt tooth-like parts, somewhat re-
sembling the overlapping scales of a pine cone. On the under
surface it is slightly concave and relatively smooth compared with
the upper, which has evidently been the side most exposed to
weathering. The stalk is inserted in the centre rather obliquely,
more or less compressed, and tapering slightly towards the base,
being a little over 3 in. in length and 1-13^ in. across. It is
very rough, and has a dark ashy-grey aspect. The whole weighs
8^ ozs., and was certainly of a sufficiently striking character to
be picked up as a ' curio.' In order to get at its true nature, it
is essential to see the interior and make, say, a longitudinal section
right through the centre of it, but as the finder wished it to be
preserved intact, that could not be done. However, by a lucky
accident, the stalk was broken across near the base, and the
woody core was revealed, of a creamy colour, while the outside
was dark-coloured and very irregular. Professor Gregory, of
the Melbourne University, to whom the specimen was sub-
mitted, had determined it as a woody callosity, and not a fossil
at all.

I had already examined the woody portion under the micro-
scope, and found it to consist, not of fungus filaments, but of
cellular tissue. Hence the specimen could not possibly be a
fungus. A small portion was also thoroughly soaked with iodine
and then treated with sulphuric acid, when it became of a deep
blue colour, thus giving the well-known cellulose reaction. This
proved that the substance had neither become petrified nor
fossilized, but was perfectly normal, In some portions of the
woody tissue there was found a perfect network of fungus
filaments — elongated, branched, and closely septate. These
filaments were the only traces of fungi found, and were pro-
bably parasitic. Thus the specimen turned out to be interesting
— not, however, as a petrified mushroom, but as one of those
peculiar excrescences found on various trees, and known
as "burrs," "gnaurs," "wens," or "exostosis." These ex-
crescences are usually very irregular and woody, with gnarled
and warted surfaces. They occur on a number of different
trees, very commonly on the elm, and vary in size from that
of a pea to that of a cocoa-nut or larger. It has been as-

16 TIIR VICTOlilAN NATURALIST.

certained that they are not due to insect agency, and they may
start from old tree trunks, or where a branch has broken off, and
probably arise from clusters of adventitious buds. A bud under
these circumstances tries to develop a shoot, but owing to im-
perfect nourishment it soon dies at the top, then new buds at the
base of this repeat the process next year, and so on until quite a
cluster is formed. This compact mass of suppressed shoots may
form a hard, rounded boss-like structure, and become more or
less disconnected from the parent trunk.

Berkeley — in the Gardeners' Chronicle, at p. 756 (1855)
— states that gnaurs occasionally, though freely developing
above, may adhere by a strong peduncle or stalk of the wood,
and this leads us to consider the form of the present specimen.
We may imagine that the cluster of buds grew out at first as a
relatively slender projection, owing to a scarcity of nutriment ;
then, subsequently, there was sufficient nourishment provided to
enable the expansion to take place at the top. However this
may be, there is no doubt of the woody nature of the specimen
and of its being one of those lusns naturce so frequently met
with in different departments of science. Every credit is due to
Mr. Gray — or rather, I am informed, to Mrs. Gray, who actually
picked up the specimen — for bringing it under notice, and this
short account of an interesting form may be the means of leading
field naturalists to observe any examples of such excrescences on
our native trees. No doubt the size, the shape, and the situation
all tended to suggest the idea of a mushroom, and when we
remember that Bridgevvater — on the coast, about nine miles from
Portland — is noted for the natural curiosity known as the
" petrified forest," we can easily understand how this hard,
woody, mushroom-like body came to be regarded as a petrified
mushroom, although, of course, the meaning intended is lignified
rather than petrified.

It would be interesting to visit the locality and explore it for
one's self, in order to see if any similar specimens may be found
still attached to their parent trees.

The Agricultural Gazelle of Netv South Wales for April
contains several articles of interest to naturalists. Mr. W. W.
Froggat, F.L.S., Government Entomologist, contributes some
notes, with illustrations, on the Cicadas, " Locusts," and their
habit? ; also on the Potato Moth, Lita solaiiella, Boisd. Another
interesting article by Mr. C. T. Musson, of the Hawkesbury
Agricultural College, shows how the rainfall often varies in
adjacent localities, and, as the result of practical experiments,
shows the variations recorded by a series of rain-gauges set about
70 yards apart, each representing an area of one acre.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 17

ON "RED RAIN," WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO
ITS OCCURRENCE IN VICTORIA. WITH A NOTE
ON MELBOURNE DUST.

By F. Chapman, F.R.M.S., and H. J. Grayson.

{Read he fore the Field Naturalists' Cluh of Victoria, llth Mai/, 1903.)

Jntroductort/ Remarks. — Natural phenomena, meteoric or other-
wise, which happened to be beyond the common order of things
were regarded by our forefathers with mingled feelings of awe
and superstition. Many of the mysterious phantasies of the past
have been dissipated by the growth of accurate knowledge, and
not least among these is the phenomenon, common enough in
certain districts, and under peculiar conditions, of the so-called
blood-rains. This appearance, which was regarded by the
credulous and unscientific mind in a more or less literal sense,
and presaging calamity in one form or another, is to us merely a
dust-laden shower, brought about by the rain falling during a
dust storm.

Although showers of red rain, when particularly dark in colour,
are referred to as blood-rain, it is rare to find the colouring
material so vivid as to cause the name to be merited, mud -rain
being often more appropriate.

Other similar appearances, produced in a different way, and by
the agency of Protophytes, are variously known as " gory dew "
{Pahnella cruenta), found on damp walls, and resembling in
colour coagulated blood ; and the " red snow " found in the
arctic and alpine regions colouring extensive tracts of country,
which is either a species of Palmella or possibly a Protococcus.
These latter appearances, however, are distinctly due to organic
growth, and have nothing in common with red rain.

The "yellow rain," or "sulphur showers," which, by the way,
are not due to sulphur, are frequent in some countries, and not
confined to any in particular. They are caused by an exceptional
quantity of pollen, chiefly coniferous, being included in the
condensing moisture and brought down with the rain.

The physiographical conditions required for the production of
mud-rains are, obviously, a desert tract of country, where fine
impalpable dust may be caught up by the wind, and the
inclusion of this dust in a moisture-laden stratum of air. The
result is a shower of muddy rain, which often takes place at
distances far removed from the source of the dust. It is possible
that the process of condensation may be hastened by the
presence of dust particles, as seems to be the case during
volcanic outbursts.

In many regions dust storms are so generally prevalent as to
result in the deposition of layers of fine sediment, which mantle

18 Tllli VICTORIAN NATUUALIST.

everything, and eventually form strata of very great thickness. A
notable example of such a deposit is the Loess of China and
Central Asia, which is an accumulation of blown dust often as
much as i.ooo feet in thickness. In this way the ancient cities
of Nineveh and Babylon have probably been covered up.
Showers also might occasionally fall in these districts, often as
mud-rains, and this moisture would furnish the necessary con-
ditions of life for the land and marsh-loving shells which are often
met with in great abundance in these subaerial deposits.

The phenomenon of mud showers frequently observed in
connection with volcanic eruptions is obviously related to that
of red rain, differing only in the source and nature of the dust.
The sediment in the former consists usually of crystalline par-
ticles and triturated volcanic material, whilst that of the latter
contains both mineral and organic particles. Upon both the
winnowing action of air currents may be observed, the finer and
lighter portion naturally being carried farthest from its source.

The terrigenous deposits which occur off the west coast of
Africa, notably round Cape Verde, and contain much fine sandy
material, may in a large measure owe their origin to dust
storms, which carry a burden of fine material off the land, as
exemplified in the " sea dust " often collected from the decks of
vessels in that part of the Atlantic.

The Red Bains of the Mediterraneaii Area and Their
Com.2')osition. — In the Mediterranean area showers of red rain are
very frequent, the south wind or sirocco bringing dust with it
from the Sahara Desert and meeting with the moist air of the
Mediterranean. In Sicily, around the harbour of Messina, a
curious illusionary effect is sometimes seen, which, accordmg
to some writers, appears to be directly connected with the
advancing dust-laden clouds. It is known as the Fata Morgana,
and supposed by the Sicilians to be the work of the fairy
Morgana. It presents the appearance of a screen extended over
the still, clear water, and reflections of edifices and other objects
are seen against it to a height of about 30 feet above the water's
level. (For sketches of this phenomenon, see Nature, 26th
February, 1903, p. 394.)

The colour of the sediment from the red rain of the
Mediterranean coast regions and elsewhere is mainly due to the
ferruginous constituents of the soil which yields the dust, and it
varies greatly in degree according to its source.

The composition of the sediment of red rain is often largely
silicious, due to the large proportion of quartz particles, and this
is frequently considerably increased by the presence of the
silicious frustules of diatoms which have been caught up from
freshwater lakes, or even from sub-fossil deposits which lay in the
path of the wind. This latter feature in the constitution of red

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 19

rain was pre-eminently brought under notice by the elaborate
work of Dr. Ehrenberg, published in 1847.* That author gave a
detailed account of the falls of blood-rain or sirocco dust at Genoa,
Lyons, and elsewhere, and of the "sea dust" collected near the
Cape Verde Islands by Darwin and Lyell ; all of these contained
many species of diatoms, chiefly of freshwater habitat. Ehren-
berg also recorded the contents of sediment from a " red snow
fall" in the Tyrol, which appears to be of the nature of red dust,
in which he found numerous diatoms, sponge spicules, some
doubtful forms of foraminifera, pollen of Pinus and spores of
ferns, vegetable fibres and hairs, and fragments of insects. There
is also in this work an historical record of falls of red rain,
amounting in all to 340, up to the date of the publication of
Ehrenberg's memoir. In addition to silicious particles in the
sediment there will naturally be a variable quantity of desic-
cated material derived directly from the soil, the result of the
decomposition of basalt and other rocks lying in the track of the
wind.

To take one or two recent instances of red rain falling in the
Mediterranean area, we may refer to Prof. Judd's examination!
of some sediment collected by Prof Sir A. W. Riicker, at Taor-
mina, Sicily, which fell during March, 1901, and was noticed as
far north as Hamburg. This material, Prof. Judd says, con-
tained " chips of quartz, micaceous and other minerals. A few
diatom frustules, but these were not so common as in that which
was examined by Ehrenberg in 1S47."

Referring to the same series of showers, M. Stainslaus Meunier J
gave the composition of red rain which fell in Palermo on the
night of the 9th to loth of March, 1901, as follows: —

In 100 parts of powder —

Water ... ... ... ... 5.20

Organic matter ... ... ... 3.17

Sand .. ... ... ... 59.I4

Carbonate of lime ... ... ... 23.91

And by difference — clay ... ... 8. 58

The sand referred to would be chiefly silicious ; its per-
centage is curiously identical with that determined for Victoria by
Mr. Walpole (see p. 29).

An analysis by M. Barac of red rain sediment which fell at
Fiume, Hungary,§ shows a great variety of substances to be
present, which were due to local conditions. The presence of

■' " Passatslaub und Blutrcgcn," Abhancllangen K. Akad. Wiss. Berlin,
pp. 269-460, 6 plates.

t Nature, 28th March, 1901, vol. l.xiii., p. 514.
X Nature, iSth April, 1901, vol. Ixiii., p. 604.
§ IbuL, 1901, vol. l.Niv., p. 4S9.

20 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

soot, for instance, would be accounted for by the proximity of
manufactories. The material in this instance consisted of
coloured particles (mainly irregular), angular fragments, mineral
particles, silicious organisms, particles of soot, rhombohedra of
calcite, and cubes of salt. The quantitative analysis given by M.
Barac is as follows : —

Silica ... ... ... ... 49-49

Iron sesquioxide ... ... ... 9.96

Alumina ... ... ... ... 12.10

Manganese peroxide ... ... 1.99

Lime ... ... •.. ... 11.46

Magnesia ... ... ... 0.40

Carbonic acid ... ... ... 8.96

Organic matter ... ... ... 5.48

Traces of soda, sulphuric acid. Hydro-
chloric acid, &c. ... ... 0.16

Red Rain in England. — The mud-rains so frequent in the
Mediterranean area occasionally extend, as we have seen, far
into Europe. It is extremely rare, however, in the British Islands,
so that it is the more interesting to note its, occurrence in January
of last year in the neighbourhood of the Bristol Channel. This
fall occurred in the night or early morning of the 22nd and 23rd
at Chewton, Henbury, and Lawrence Western,* and it appears,
according to some authorities, to have had a quite local origin in
that part of the south-west of England. It has been suggested by
Clement Reid that the dust of this particular fall of mud-rain
originated in the alluvial flats of the Cornish area.t

Occurrence of Red Rain in Australasia. — When we turn to
Australasia we find nearly similar conditions prevalent to those
on the coastal areas of the Mediterranean. The hot, dry north
wind, passing over the sterile region of the centre, frequently brings
down a great quantity of dust across tlie southern states. These
dust clouds mix with the southerly moist winds, and in some
measure, as already remarked, assist in the condensation of the
moisture, which results in a downfall of khaki-coloured rain.
These showers are recorded from time to time, and form one of
the ordinary features of the Australian climate, although ihey are
not of great frequency, for very often the dust subsides before it
is caught by a moist stratum of air.

A note on a shower of red rain was published in the Eield
Naturalists' journal in 1897, J in which the writer, Mr. C. C.
Brittlebank, mentions that he had observed diatoms in the red

* Nalure, 1902, vol. Ixv., p. 317.

+ J bid, p. 414.

J Vol. xiii., p. 125.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 21

rain which fell over a large area of Victoria on ihe 2'j[h.
December, 1896.

Towards the end of last year a few local showers were recorded
in Victoria from the districts of Heathcote, Traralgon, and
Cunninghame, bringing down a quantity of tine red dust, which
formed a coating of mud upon everything on which it fell,
leaving mud-stains on people's clothes and contaminating the
domestic water supplies.

A further sample of rain sediment, collected in South Gipps-
land by Mr. W. H. Ferguson of the Mines Department, has been
kindly placed at our disposal by Prof. Gregory, F.R.S. We
found it differed only slightly from the material obtained by us,
and mainly in that it contained a rather larger percentage of
mineral matter, principally of quartz fragments. Mr. Ferguson,
we are informed, secured the sediment toward the end of last
year, and was careful to form an estimate of the total fall per
square mile from data available, and this amounted to 50
tons.

A similar estimate made by us with respect to the fall on 28th
March gives an approximation to over 35^ tons per square mile
for I inch of rainfall ; or, more precisely, 20 grains per squaie
foot for I inch of rainfall. Of this total about 397 lbs. would
consist of the frustules of diatoms, to which we shall presently
refer.

One of the recent widely-spread dust storms has been noticed
in Nature * by Mr. W. A. Dixon, of Sydney, namely that of
nth, 1 2th, and 13th November, which visited New South Wales,
Victoria, and Tasmania. That writer remarks on the obscuring
of the sun by the great quantity of dust present in the air, whilst
the sea had a peculiar leaden colour. The latter appearance he
compares with the blue colour of the New Zealand hot lakes, and
supposes it to be due to a like cause, that of fine particles in
suspension.

From Tasmania Mr. H. S. Dove f described the dust storm on
the afternoon of 12th November, 1902, when the sky to the north
and north-east was of a chocolate-brown tint. The whirled-up
dust was afterwards caught by the rain, which, when it fell, dis-
coloured people's clothes. This writer compares the appearance
of the sky during the dust storm with that of " Black Thursday,"
when the fearful bush fires raged over so great an extent of
country.

This same occurrence took the form of a very dense dust storm
in Victoria, which lasted during the greater part of the day, and
in some places necessitated the use of lamps in the daytime,
on account of the darkness.

* 1st January, 1903, vol. Ixvii., p. 203.
f Loc. supra cit.

THK VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

One of the most remarkable, perhaps, of red-rain showers, as
regards the quantity of sediment brought down, occurred in Vic-
toria and parts of the neighbouring States on 14th February, 1903.
Early in the day the weather was fine and bright, but a northerly
wind springing up caused the streets in Melbourne to be partly
obscured by dust. The warm and oppressive north wind con-
tinued steadily blowing until about 3.45 p.m., and the suspended
dust at last imparted a copper colour to the sky. The highest
shade temperature in Melbourne was 91.6. At the lime men-
tioned an instantaneous change took place, the wmd quickly veering
round to the south-west, and in a moment a cool, damp, and
almost icy wind from the Southern Ocean took the place of the
oppressive north wind which had until then been blowing. The
south-west wind blew with increasing force, and at one time had
a velocity of 67 miles per hour. The change in the direction of
the wind was emphasized by a sudden darkening of the sky, and
far above in an east and west direction the dust clouds could be
seen as a dense purplish bank being driven northward, followed
by patches and flecks of snow-white clouds marking the
progress of the south wind, which was forcing its way beneath
and against the heated dust cloud. At this time it was
so dark as to make it necessary for lamps to be lighted
to enable one to read. At 5 p.m. rain, saturated with
fine dust, commenced to fall, colouring everything upon
which it fell of a chocolate tint. Upon holding out a
sheet of writing paper the rain would quickly discolour
it with reddish-brown spots. We collected the sediment
from this fall for detailed microscopic examination, at Camber-
well, 5 miles east of, and at St. Kilda, 4 miles south-east of Mel-
bourne respectively. Five fluid ounces of rain were collected by
one of us at Camberwell, and this yielded 17 grains of dry
sediment.

This cyclonic disturbance appears to have spent its force mainly
on the coastal areas, and does not seem to have gone far beyond
the Divide.

Still more recently, on 28th March, a red-rain fall occurred, on
a Saturday as in the previous instance, and at nearly the same
time ; emphasizing the general rule that a cycle of weather in
Victoria takes about 7 to 9 days to complete. Material from
these two falls yielded both diatoms and various minerals, and
these will be presently enumerated and described. Wc have
already referred (see p. 21) to the probable amount of sediment
which fell per square mile on this particular date.

It may be mentioned incidentally that on the 15th of February
a storm of hail passed over Camberwell, the hail-stones having a
curious shape, like a depressed mushroom. One of their surfaces
was convex, the opposite conical, and having a short stalk ; the

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

June, 1903.
PLATE 1.

^1 -

^.''c

i^.r

-'t'

Si -^ A t, Ci:

II. J. G. I'hnto.

SEDIMENTS AND SILICIOUS

Process: Block, TltlUMPll Eng Co.
RESIDUES FROM RED RAIN,

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

yiine, 1903.
PLATE II.

■■

4';

,».

€

'' '\

n. J. G. and F. C. Photo. Process Block, Triumph Eng. Co

RESIDUES, DIATOMS, AND MINERALS FROM RED RAIN.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

periphery was acute. Both surfaces were rough and pitted, as
though etched in a regular manner and having relation to some
inherent crystalline strain. These hail-stones averaged lo mm.
in height.

In connection with the following notes on the sediment of
the red rain an opportunity has been taken to examine
a sample of dust which had drifted on to the skylight of
the National Museum, Melbourne. The material, in some
respects, was comparable with the ordinary sediment of the
mud-rain, but of a somewhat coarser nature, the greater
part being mineral grains, and only a few fragments of
diatom frustules were seen. It differed also in containing
minerals of a distinctly local character, presumably derived
from the powdering of the road metal in the district, such
as basalt and limestone.

The Minerals found in the Two Samples of Red-rain

Sediment.

Sediment in the mass reddish-brown.

Quartz. — This is by far the commonest mineral in both samples
of red-rain sediment. The particles are usually quite angular, a
small proportion only being sub-rounded ; and these latter are
not so smooth and polished as in the case of the desert sands of
the interior, typical examples of which, obtained during Professor
Gregory's recent expedition to Lake Eyre Basin, we have
compared for the purpose. Some of the grains from the sediment
are indeed sharply angular as if freshly crushed or broken, as
would be the case if some of the material were derived from dried
tailings and sluicings, such as occur abundantly in the mining
areas to the north and north-west of Victoria.

The thickness of the quartz grains may be judged by their
polarization colours ranging from iron grey to straw yellow of the
first order of Newton's colour scale. Some of the quartz
fragments are clear, but the majority are more or less crowded
with cavities and bubbles.

()])al is represented by a flake of a pale-brownish colour giving
a dark extinction cross, due to inherent strain.

Orthoclase felspar is rather rare ; some perfect crystals, how-
ever, were met with, one being twinned on the Carlsbad type. A
good specimen of a zoned Orthoclase occurs in the St. Kilda
sediment. Fragments of larger crystals of Orthoclase are fairly
abundant, showing schiller structure developed normally to tlie
pinacoid faces.

Sanidine is frequent in the St. Kilda material (28th March).

Alhite is not common, but occurs in small angular chips in
both samples (from St. Kilda and Camberwell).

Anorthoclase is rare in the St. Kilda sample (28lh March), It

24 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

gives the characteristic extinction-angle measurement on the
face ooi.

Augite. — Fairly frequent in both samples as broken crystals or
shapeless fragments. A few perfect crystals were found, which
give oblique extinction, are feebly pleochroic, and show the
approximate right-angled cleavage, tjsually of a pale or dull
green colour, but sometimes greenish to smoky-brown.

Actinolite. — A crystalline aggregate of this mineral, which
approaches Tremolite in its pale colour, was found in the
St. Kilda material. It is fibrous, pale green, and faintly
pleochroic.

Tourmaline. — This mineral occurs in both samples of the
sediment, and the crystals are frequentlv perfect and doubly
terminated. They are easily recognized by their strong
absorption and straight extinction. One crystal from the
Camberwell fall is of a pale indigo-green ; the others are usually
smoke-brown to greenish-brown.

Olivine is somewhat frequent in the St. Kilda material of 28th
March. The grains are sharply broken, and show a conchoidal
fracture. Amongst other characters their polarization colours
serve to distinguish this mineral from quartz.

Garnet. — A single isotropic granule of a pale pink colour
occurred in the St. Kilda sample of 14th February.

Cordierite. — An angular piece of this mineral species was
found in the St. Kilda sample, and is the only specimen met
with after a careful search. It gives the characteristic colours of
blue to yellow when examined with the polarizer only. It is met
with in both granites and gneisses in Victoria.

Butile. — Occasional, in the St. Kilda material. Crystals some-
what rare, varying from dark yellowish-brown to deep red-brown.
No twinned forms observed.

Zirco7i. — A rounded crystal of colourless Zircon, measuring
.04 mm. in length, was found in the Camberwell sediment.
Found more commonly in the St. Kilda material.

Apatite. — A crystal measuring .06 mm. in length occurred in
the Camberwell sediment.

Epidote — A doubly-terminated crystal from the Camberwell
fall, measuring .09 mm. in length ; viewed through axis c it gives
greenish-brown. Also strong refraction, with edges in high
relief. Incipient fractures nearly at right angles to ortho-
diagonal.

Nalrolite (?). — A fragment of a radially-grouped mineral, from
St, Kilda, giving straigiit extinction, and resembling Natrolite in
its general characters.

Limonite. — Numerous rounded flakes of a reddish-brown or
yellow colour are seen to be disseminated through the mounted
material, and to which, together with the more powdery or

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 25

amorphous brown particles of a similar nature, the brown colour
of the sediment is apparently due.

A possible explanation for the presence of much of the Limonite
may be due in this instance to the fact that in the process of
denudation and weathering of the tertiary basalts the iron usually
leaches out and forms extensive concretionary or cemented
gravelly deposits, locally termed " buck-shot gravels." The
auriferous drifts also from the north-western districts supply a
large proportion of limonitic or other ferruginous material. Asso-
ciated with the minerals described above there is also a flake of
amber-brown glass, with numerous gas-cavities, from the Camber-
well sample.

The mineral fragments and crystals from the Victorian red-rain
sediment, as recorded above, have undoubtedly been derived from
the disintegration of the rocks ordinarily met with in the Victorian
area in the cotmtry to the north and west. The mineral con-
stituents of Dolerite and Basalt, which are so much in evidence
in the Melbourne dust, are not at all common in the red-rain
sediment, the latter material presumably originating farther to the
north. The accessory silicates and the other rarer and heavier
minerals were most likely derived from granitic and gneissic
rocks, and from the disintegration of lodes and veins.

We may mention, en passant, that in his examination of the
sirocco dust Prof von Lasaulx noticed that the mineral con-
stituents consisted of the ordmary rock-forming minerals, with
the addition, curiously, of metallic iron particles. These latter
he refers to a terrestrial origin.

Prof Silvestri, of Catania, found not only metallic iron in the
Sicilian sirocco dust, but also nickel and various silicates and
phosphates such as are found in meteorites, which led him to
believe that a portion of the dust was either derived from the
abrasion of those bodies or existed as cosmic dust, which was
attracted to the earth on penetrating the citmosphere.

The terrestrial origin of the sirocco dust is now admitted on
nearly all sides. Prof Tacchini, who also supports this view,
found the specific gravity of the dust to vary from 2.3 1-2. 71, and
due to the invariably large proportion of silica in its composition.

In addition to the diatoms, to be presently dealt with, there are
numerous pieces of vegetable tissue, more particularly fragments
of leaves and stems, and also numerous traces of the silicious
elements present in grasses, sedges, and other plants structurally
allied. Besides these there were numerous spore-like bodies
and pollen grains in samples from both localities. The
most striking and abundant plant remains are, however, the
silicious valves and frustules of the Diatomacese. Their presence
has been recorded in Australia on several occasions previously,
as we have already incidentally stated, more particularly in the

26 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

red rain of 1896, by several observers, but as the sediment was
almost invariably collected on the roofs of greenhouses or from
the channelings of dwellings, positions in which it was very
liable to contamination, it was not clearly demonstrable that
they had been carried and deposited by atmospheric agencies.
This element of doubt has been eliminated in the case of the
deposits under review, as they were collected in perfectly clean
vessels at stated intervals, and as all the glassware, chemicals,
and water used in the subsequent cleaning processes were
certainly free from similar organisms, the possibility of their
accidental introduction need not be entertained.

The number and variety of these organisms is fairly consider-
able, though to obtain this distinction they need not, and in fact
do not, form any very large percentage of the total sediment.
Certainly it would be well within the mark to state that they do
not represent more than one-half per cent. Yet in a sample of
dried material weighing not more than 20 grains they number
many thousands.

Fragments of sponge spicules, probably of Spongilla, are not
infrequent in most of the samples collected.

Dried remains of the lorica of a rotifer, probably of the genus
Euchlanis, were occasionally met with, and the wing of an insect
occurred in that from Camberwell.

The Diato:\is in the Red-Rain Sediment.

The generic and specific forms present are in the main repre-
sentative of freshwater types. Species usually found only in
brackish water occur, but not to the same extent, while the
occurrence of purely marine and estuarine representatives of the
group is extremely rare, only one example of the former having
been noticed, namely, a species of Cymbosira, from the fall at
Camberwell.

The number of the Diatomacese known and described is so
enormous, and the literature concerning them so voluminous and
scattered, that any attempt to enumerate all the specific forms
present is next to impossible to any but specialists in this group.
We have consequently only endeavoured to draw up a provisional
list of some of the more prominent species. This, of course, might
be greatly extended and modified by more complete examination
and research.

List of DiatomacecB from lied Rain collected at St. Kilda '2Sfh
March, 1903. — Amphora, sp., Cymbella, sp., £ncijonema luiiula,
Grunow, Navicula nohilis, Ehr. (fragments), N. major, Kutz.
(fragments), N. lata, ^V. Smith, N. borealis, Ehr. (not quite
typical), N. brauniana, Grunow, JV. termes, Ehr., var. stauronei
Jormis, N. commutata, Grunow, JV. amhujiia, Ehr., N., sp., Stau-
roneis acuta, W. Smith, Stauroiitis, sp., Amphicampa mirabilis,

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

Epithemia zebra, Ehr., Eunotia, sp., Synedra, sp. (fragments),
Feronia, sp., Diatoma, sp. (some examples still sliowing the
gelatinous envelope), Hanlzschia amphioxus, Grunow, Hantzschia,
sp., JVitzschia, sp. (several), Melosira, sp. (several).

The question of the derivation, as also the destination, of so
many species of diatoms, and other organisms much more potent
in their consequential effects, and such as it appears must he
regularly carried by these periodic cyclonic storms, is one of
great interest. This is so, not merely because of its bearing upon
the distribution of one particular group of microscopical plants
through a given area, but rather because of its relation to
questions affecting the welfare of communities separated by
hundreds of miles of land and sea For it must be perfectly
clear that if individual organisms so large as the frustules of the
diatoms we have enumerated can be carried from the northern
areas of Victoria to New Zealand, of which more anon, it is
equally clear that the organisms in their embryonic state,
infinately smaller, but more potent in their effects upon other
organisms — to wit, ourselves — may be, and indeed are, carried in
the careering dust storms with which the Melbournians are, alas !
only too familiar.

In order, if possible, to derive definite information upon this
point, we submitted samples of the material obtained to Dr.
Bull, Lecturer on Bacteriology at the University, who generously
undertook to prepare cultures from the several tubes of sediment.
Unfortunately these could not be immediately dealt with ; so
that, according to Dr. Bull's appended report, only the more
resistant organisms were capable of development. In addition
to the saprophytic and allied organisms alluded to by Dr. Bull,
numerous protozoan forms of life, chiefly of the flagellate type,
quickly developed out in a tube of material left for a few days
exposed to the light. Of course the usual precautionary measures
to ensure isolation and freedom from contamination other than
such as was unavoidable at the time of collection had been
taken.

Report on the Bacteriological Examination of Two
Specimens of "Red-Rain" Water. By Dr. R. J. Bull.
The samples were labelled as under : —

1. " Red rain," collected St. Kilda, 14/2/03.

2. "Red rain" ,, „ 2S/3/03.

Mode of Examination. — Small measured quantities of the
turbid water (from -\j to ^V cubic centimetre) were inoculated
into plates of sterile gelatine and tubes of nutrient agar, and
the colonies of bacteria present were studied as they developed.

liesults. — No. I, although containing more than twice as much
sediment as No. 2, contained considerably fewer micro-organisms.

28 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

No doubt this result is in part due to the length of time elapsing
before a bacteriological examination was undertaken.

The majority of the micro-organisms growing in sample No. 2
consisted of a rapidly liquefying bacillus, which slowly produced
a green pigment {Bacillus Jluorcscens liqtiefaciens). This
organism is commonly found in fresh water.

Sample i differed from 2 in containing considerable numbers
of white and green moulds {Oidium albicans and Penicilliinn
glaucum). There were also present a few members of the " Hay
bacillus" group, and a very limited number of Bacillus Jluorescens
lique/aciens, the pigment in this case being produced more
slowly than in sample 2.

Each sample also contained a few members of the "colon"
group.

Remarks. — It is characteristic of the common "air organisms "
that many of them produce varieties of red, pink, yellow, and
brown pigments. It is noteworthy that these pigment-producing
bacteria were entirely absent from the sample examined, and this
fact would seem to indicate that the atmospheric dust on the
occasions of the " red rain " phenomenon was not of the
character usually found. This abnormality was further indicated
by the presence of the colon group in each sample. Extensive
laboratory experiments have shown that the colon bacillus is
rarely found normally in the atmosphere.

As to the origin of solid material in the samples, the bacterio-
logical results in the case of sample 2 would seem to indicate
that the locality had not been subjected to drought of a recent
date, owing to the numerous water bacteria present. Such,
however, does not appear to be so markedly the case in sample
I.— R. J. Bull, M.D.

We had. however, no particular desire to endeavour to discover
what might be present in an " everyday " sample of Melbourne
dust, though that is by no means unimportant. Hence we
purposely waited until the whole of this had been swept away
in order that our sample might contain only material carried
from afar. It would, we think, be safe to say that none of
the material we are describing had been derived from an area
within 30 miles north or west of Melbourne. It would be
equally safe to affirm that much of it was derived from areas
ranging from that distance up to 300 or more miles north and
west. The Diatomace?e were most probably mainly carried from
the low-lying swamps and salt lakes which fringe the River
Murray and other waterways throughout northern and north-
western Victoria, and beyond the South Australian border. That
they live and grow in profusion under conditions such as are
known to obtain within the area in question is a matter of
observation. During abnormal seasons of drought, such as have

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 29

unfortunately of late been prevalent, the waters of the marshes and
billabongs are often completely evaporated, and the accumulated
sediments, full of diatom valves, are quickly dried to an almost
impalpable powder, which is readily gathered up and carried by
the wind at a considerable elevation for hundreds of miles.

We have in this instance been so fortunate as to receive
confirmatory evidence from New Zealand that red rain, which is
beyond doubt identical with the samples we are describing, fell at
Otakia, in Otago. A slide of this material has been kindly
placed at our disposal by Professor Gregory. We find it only
differs from ours in that the dust particles, as may be seen
by reference to the photographs, are smaller than the bulk of the
material collected by us. This, as may be supposed, is no doubt
due to the larger mineral fragments having been filtered out by
gravitation in transit. But the diatom valves, owing to their
greater superficies as compared with their specific gravity, are
present in abundance, and serve to place the identity of the
deposit beyond question. We have, therefore, in this circum-
stance undoubted proof that relatively large objects — for some of
the valves are o. i mm. long and proportionately wide — are
carried by atmospheric agency considerably over i,ooo miles.
In all probability they would be conveyed over still greater
distances by varying air-currents, provided they were not thrown
down by condensation in the form of rain.

Analysis of the Victorian Samples of Sediment.

It was deemed desirable to have an analysis made of one of
the samples, and as the amount of material forwarded by Mr.
Ferguson was sufficient for this purpose it was handed, by the
courtesy of Professor Masson, to Mr. G. S. Walpole, of the
Chemistry Department, Melbourne University, who very kindly
undertook the work, and whose report is subjoined : —

" The analysis of samples of dust from red rain collected by
Mr. Ferguson, of the Mines Department is as follows :—

" The dust was passed through a sieve (80 meshes to the linear
inch), whereby some small pieces of straw, &c., were removed,
and then dried at 100° C. fer 6 hours. Finally it was dried for
one hour at 200"^ C. Two analyses of the material were made,
one by fusion and one by the hydrofluoric acid method.

"Si O, ... ... ... ... 59.23

Loss on ignition ... ... ... 10.28

Al_, O, (containing Zr 0,) ... ... 14.01

Total iron weighed as Fe, O3 ... 7 68

Ca O ... ... ... ... 2.40

Mg O ... ... -. ... 1. 91

95 5^
Alkali metals ... Trace only, not determined

30 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

Tlie sediments from red niiii were collected at St. Kilda
14th February and 28th March, 1903, and at Camberwell 14th
February, 1903.

Samples collected at St. Kilda, 14/2/03 : —

No. I. — Obtained at 4.30 ]).m., rain having been falling
over 20 minutes. Lower atmosphere clear, with low drifting
clouds. Wind about due west, and blowing strongly.

No. 2. — Collected at 6.30 p.m. \

No. 3 ,, at 7.30 p.m. ^Conditions as above.

No. 4 ,, at 7.45 p.m. )

No. 5. — Collected at 8.30 p.m. Rain falling steadily. A
further sample obtained after 9 p.m. contained no appreciable
sediment.

Sample collected 28th March, St. Kilda (one only), treated
for Diatomace?e.

Sample collected at Camberwell, between 6.15 p.m. and
7.15 p.m., examined especially for minerals, but diatoms as
numerous as at St. Kihla.

With respect to the series of sediments obtained on 14th
February, those collected between 4.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. were
found to contain the largest proportion of mineral and organic
material, and do not differ appreciably from a sample secured on
28th March under almost precisely similar conditions. This
latter sample was preferably treated for Diatomace^e alone, as the
total amount of sediment was somewhat greater than that collected
on the first-named date. As the February samples were
obtained at definite intervals they afford a comparison both as to
the amount and nature of the sediments. They also point to a
gradual diminution in the size of the contained particles. This is
first noticeable in the 7.45 sample, while that obtained at 8.30
p.m. is almost entirely free from the coarse grains characteristic
of the earlier gatherings. Most of the sediment collected
from 8.30 p.m. on to past 9 p.m. was so fine as to remain in
suspension for some hours. From this it would appear that the
heavier particles are carried down during, say, the first two hours'
rain. After this, assuming a continuation of similar conditions,
the amount of sediment is greatly reduced, and consists only of
particles in a minute state of subdivision.

Minerals in the MELrsouRNE City Dust from the Roof
OF the National Museum.

Quartz. — Numerous sub-angular chips.

Orthoclase rare ; frequently schillerizetl ; one minute crystal
showing twinning on the Carlsbad ty[)e.

Sanidine variety rare, in clear fragments ; one specimen with
characteristic cleavage cracks.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 31

Alhite rare, witli fine repeated twinning.

Lahradorite frequent, with extinction angle about 32°.

A fragment oi Anorthite\va.s found having a maximum extinction
angle of 58°.

Augite. — A pale green variety very common ; the majority in
fragments, but several perfect crystals present. Two pieces of
brown Augite with inclusions of magnetite crystals, showing
the occurrence of parallel grouping of octaliedra. One Augite
crystal of a purplish-brown colour.

Tourmaline. — Common. Some good slender prismatic
crystals.

Olivine. — Irregular granules, with rough surfaces and strongly
refractive edges, very common.

Garnet very rare. Pink, isotropic granules.

Rutile. — Frequent, generally fragmentary or in short rounded
crystals ; also as included crystals in quartz.

Cassiterite (?). — Cleavage fragments yellow or yellowish-brown,
and showing an anomalous interference figure, are frequent.
They agree most in character with the above mineral. The
fragments, when imperfectly cleaved, show a curious rippling of
the surface, like that of amethystine quartz. Their colouration is
too strong for citrine.

Zircon. — Frequent, more or less rounded.

Epidote. — As an alteration product in felspars, frequent.

Zoisite. — Penetrating fragments of felspars as Labradorite.

Calcite in rhombs, rare.

Magnetite. — Irregular granules frequent.

Limonite. — In less proportion than in the red rain sediment ;
also as included crystals of octahedral form in Augite.

Besides the minerals enumerated, occasional exanijiles of
opaque spherical bodies were met with, resembling those found
in deep sea deposits, and referred to as cosmic dust.

There were also numerous translucent greenish-brown glassy
spheres, with granular inclusions and bubbles. These latter
measure about .05 mm. in diameter.

Numerous particles of soot were present, undoubtedly of local
origin.

By far the larger part of the Melbourne dust consists of particles
having a distinctly local origin. Among the minerals the con-
stituents of basalt and other rocks, and possibly limestone, are
very much in evidence.

Among the organic constituents remains of rotifers and a ^ew
broken valves of diatoms of the larger species were noticed.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

A Distribution Table of the Minerals Recorded Ahove.

Name.

St. Kilda,
14/2/03,
4.30 p.m._

2 d.

Ditto,
7.15 p.m.

Ditto,
7.40 p.m.

Ditto,

treated with

H, SO4.

2?l

.00

Roof of
National
Museum.

Quartz -
Opal -
Orthoclase

v.r,

f.' 1

v.c.

c.
r.

v.c.
f."

v.c.
r.

Sanidine

...

f.'

Albite -

Anorthoclase-

■

Labradorite -

1 '"

f."

Anovthite

...

• -•

v.r.

Augite -
Actinolite

::: i

f.'

v.r.

v.c.

Tourmaline -

v.r.

Olivine

v.c.

Garnet -

v.r.

Cordierite

....

v.r.

Rutile -

f.'

Cassiterite (?)
Zircon -

v.r.

f.
f.

Apatite
Epidote
Zoisite -

v.r.
v.r.

....

f."
r.

Calcite -

Natrolite (?) -

v.r.

1 ...

Magnetite

...

Limonite

Opaque spheres
Glassy spheres

f.
f.

Explanation of Plate I.

Fig. I. Red-rain sediment, Camberwell, 14/2/03. x 70.

,, 2. Ditto, St. Kilda. x 65.

,, 3. Ditto, Otago, N.Z. x 65.

,, 4. Dust from roof of National Museum. x 65.

,, 5. .Silicious residue from red-rain sediment, St. Kilda.

,, 6. Ditto, containing silicious vegetable tissue, x 70.

X34-

Explanation of Plate II,

Fig. I. Silicious residue of red rain, St. Kilda. Scale, o.i mm.

,, 2. Diatoms from red rain, .St. Kilda. Scale, O.I mm. x 63.

,, 3. Diatoms from red rain, St. Kilda. x 63.

,, 4. Diatoms from red rain. x 140.

,, 5. Zoned plagioclase felspar from red-rain sediments. x 500.

,, 6. Augite, Melbourne dust. National Museum. x 500.

,, 7. Tourmaline from red-rain sediment, St. Kilda. x 500.

,, 8. Magnetite in augite. x 500,

,, 9. Cordierite. x 332.

65.

Cbe Uictorian Haturaltsi

Vol. XX.— No. 3. JULY 9, 1903. No. 235.

FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA,

The twenty-third annual meeting of the Club was held at the
Royal Society's Hall on Monday, 15th June, 1903. The
president, Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., occupied the chair, and about
forty-five members and visitors were present.

REPORTS.

A report of the Club excursion to the Clifton Hill Quarries on
Saturday, loth May, was furnished by the leader, Mr. G. B.
Pritchard. The Club members were joined by the field geology
students from the Working Men's College, making altogether a
party of twenty-eight. The general geological features of the
neighbourhood were first pointed out by the leader, and a sum-
mary of the minerals obtainable, with their mode of occurrence,
was given. The quarries were then inspected, and very fair
examples of Phacolite, Mesolite, and Phillipsite, all members of
the Zeolite group, were obtained. Among other minerals noticed
were Calcite, Arragonite, Magnesite, Vivianite, Psilomelane, and
Halloysitic Clays. Some of the party then proceeded further
up the Merri Creek for a closer investigation of the interesting
geological features disjdayed in its valley.

The hon. librarian reported the receipt of the following
donations to the library : — " Records of the Geological Survey of
Victoria," vol. i., part 2, from the Department of Mines,
Melbourne ; Journal of Agricultur-e, Victoria, May, 1903, from
Department of Agriculture, Melbourne ; Agricultural Gazette 0/
New South Wales, April, May, and June, 1903, from Depart-
ment of Mines and Agriculture, Sydney ; " Annual Report,
Department of Mines, New South Wales," 1902, from the Depart-
ment ; " Forest Flora of New South Wales," part iii., and
" Critical Revision of Genus Eucalyptus," part ii., by J. H.
Maiden, F.L.S , Government Botanist, New South Wales, from
the author ; " Notes on the Natural History of Western Aus-
tralia," by M. A. C. Eraser, F.R.G.S., from Dr. A. Morrison,
Government Botanist, Perth; "Annual Reports Smithsonian
Institution," 1900 and 1 901, from the institution; "Proceedings
Nova Scotia Institute of Science," vol. x., part 3, from the
institute; "Proceedings Academy of Sciences, Philadelphia,"
vol. liv., part 2, from the society ; Nature Notes, April and May,
1903, from the Selborne Society, London; Knowledge, May,
1903, from the proprietors.

34 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

ELECTION OF MEMBERS.

On a ballot being taken, Miss Emily M. Fisher, " Wyoming,"
Lisson-grove, Hawthorn, and Mr, H. Dowling, 20 Gellibrand-
street, Kew, were duly elected as ordinary members, and Mr.
John S. Kitson, Branjee, Euroa, as a country member of the Club.

ANNUAL REPORT.

The hon. secretary, Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.L.S., then read the
twenty-third annual report for 1902-3, which was as follows: —

" To the Members of the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria.
Ladies and Gentlemen, — Your committee have much pleasure in
presenting to you the twenty-third annual report, embracing the
work of the Club for the year ending 30th April 1903.

" It is a source of much satisfaction to us that we are able to
report that the condition of the Club is most satisfactory, while
the prospects for the future are decidedly encouraging.

"The membership of the Club is still on the increase, 37
new members having been added to the roll during the
year, while 20 names have been removed on account of resigna-
tions and death, leaving us with an increase of 17 over that of the
previous year.

"The total membership is now 181, comprising 9 honorary,
2 life, 157 ordinary, and 13 country members.

" Our usual monthly meetings continued to attract good
attendances, and there is no evidence of the interest in them
falling off, while the exhibition of specimens, which have been
good and varied, continues to be a source of much interest to
members generally. This feature of the Club's programme
might, with advantage, be still further extended, and your
committee would urge individual members to assist in adding to
the interest of our meetings by bringing forward such objects as
would tend to increase our knowledge of the various forms with
which we are surrounded.

" The papers read show a slight increase, numerically, over
those of the previous year, and the subjects are well distributed
over the various branches of natural history. These have, in
most instances, been well discussed, while several have been
illustrated with lantern views. Thirty-three papers were read,
of which 17 related to zoology, 6 to botany, 3 to geology, 3 to
general subjects, and 4 to tri[)S. Of the zoological papers, 3 were
devoted to birds, 2 to fish, i to reptiles, i to molluscs, and 9
to insects.

" The authors were Messrs. E. Anderson, F. G. A. Barnard and
Dr. C. S. Sutton, M.B., F. L. Billinghurst, A. G. Campbell, J. H.
Gatliff, D. Goudie, E. Green, F.E.S., T. S. Hall, M.A., R. Hall,
A. D. Hardy, J. F. Haase, G. A. Keartland, J. A. Kershaw,
F.E.S., D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., S. A. Le Souef, F. Madden,
M.L.A., U. M' Alpine, A. J. North, C.M.Z.S., G. B. Pritchard, F.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 35

M. Reader, Miss G. Sweet, M. Sc, and Messrs. J. G. O. Tepper,
F.L.S., S. P. Townsend, and G. Weindorfer.

" In addition to these, articles were contributed by Messrs. J.
C. Goudie, A. J. North, C.M.Z.S., D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., and
H. B. Wilhamson, which were printed in the Naturalist without
being read.

"The 19th volume of the Club's journal has been completed
and duly distributed, and the thanks of the Club are again due
to the editor, Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, for the large amount of
valuable work which he has devoted to the successful issue of
the journal.

" The fourteenth conversazione of the Club was held in the
Athenaeum Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday, the 23rd and
24th of September last, and proved a decided success, both
financially and as an illustration of the nature of the Club's work.
The fine display of natural history objects was probably better
than that of any previous event of the kind, and taxed the
capacity of the large hall. An interesting feature in this event was
the introduction of wild flower exhibits, and the fine collection
shown spoke well for the energy and enthusiasm displayed by the
exhibitors. The attendance, particularly of the outside public,
was large during both evenings, and the great interest taken in
the various collections well repaid the trouble attached to such
an undertaking. The proceedings were opened by the president,
Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., in the unavoidable absence of His
Excellency the State Governor, Sir George S. Clarke, K.C.M.G.,
F.R.S. During the course of the conversazione interesting
lecturettes were delivered by Professor W. Baldwin Spencer,
M.A., F.R.S., and Mr. D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., both of which
were illustrated by lantern slides, and attracted large attendances.

" The series of short excursions have been fairly well attended,
but it is to be regretted that more of our members do not avail
themselves of these advantages to do more active field work.
The programme embraced two extended excursions, one of which
was held at Launching Place, from Saturday to Monday, 24th
to 26th January, where some interesting field work was
accomplished, particularly in botany. The other, which was held
on 7th to loth November, took the form of a camp-out at
Shoreham, the scene of the camp held on the previous Easter.
The splendid results achieved on the earlier visit to this fine
collecting ground was no doubt responsible for the large
attendance on this occasion, when some equally good work was
accomplished, as shown by the report published.

"As stated in our report for last year, a sub-committee
appointed by you submitted a list of suggestions for the guidance
of the Minister of Public Works when amending the Game Act.

" This report, as already stated, was submitted to a conference
consisting of representatives of the Royal Agricultural Society,

36 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

sportsmen, bird dealers, and fruit-growers, together with the
Club's representatives, when the list and suggestions were
adopted. It was finally arranged, at the instance of the Club,
that a deputation should wait on the Minister to present the
report. The deputation was well received by the Minister, who
promised to favourably consider the recommendations made, and
we are pleased to state that the alterations suggested have since
been adopted.

" At the ordinary meeting in May last a communication was
received from the Inspector of Fisheries regarding the wholesale
destruction of native birds through eating poisoned grain laid for
the destruction of rabbits, and asking for the Club's opinion on
the matter. A sub-commiitee was appointed by you to furnish a
report, which was later on submitted to and approved by you and
forwarded on to the inspector.

" The thanks of the Club are due to the various authors of
papers, leaders of excursions, and others who have helped in a
practical manner to forward the work of the Club. To Mr. E.
H. Swan, of the Triumph Engraving Co., the Club is much
indebted for continuing to gratuitously provide process blocks as
required for illustrating our journal ; as also to Mr. J. Searle, who
has been ever ready to place his lantern and services at our
disposal. Our hearty thanks are also due to Messrs. T. R. B.
Morton and G. Coghill, who have again most generously placed
their office at the disposal of your committee, a concession which
is highly appreciated.

"Thehon. librarian reports that the Club's library has been
considerably increased during the past year, both through ex-
changes and donations, while several useful works have been
added by purchase. These include such works as the Cambridge
Natural History Series, " The Introduction to the Study of the
Foraminifera," by Chapman, Kerner's " Botany," &c. Members
have made fair use of the books and periodicals at their disposal,
but not to the extent that might be expected. Some progress has
been made during the latter part of the year in rearranging the
books on the shelves, with the object of com|jleting the data for
the introduction of a card catalogue. The binding has been well
advanced, but it will probably be necessary to increase this ex-
penditure in the near future, so as to allow of all the Australasian
scientific periodicals on the shelves being bound, to preserve
them from injury.

" Regarding the financial position of the Club, we were pleased
in our last report to show a substantial balance to our credit ;
this year we are in a still hai)pier position. Starting the year
with a credit balance of ^21 7s. 3d., we conclude with one of
;^4i 14s. 3d., with all accounts paid. The receipts amounted to
;^i53 17s. 5d., while the expenditure was ^{,133 los. 5d.

" In conclusion, your committee, while congratulating you on

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 37

the number and value of the papers read during the past year,
would take this opportunity to again urge more of our members
to come forward and give some of the results of their observations.
Our knowledge is growing, and the number of workers is in-
creasing, but there is plenty of scope for further hands to help in
forwarding the objects of our Club.

*' T. S. Hall, President.

" J. A. Kershaw, Hon. Secretary.
" Melbourne, ist June, 1903."

The report having been received, Mr. D. Best congratulated
the members on the satisfactory position of the Club and the
value of the work accomplished during the year, and, on the
motion of Messrs. C. Coles and R. A. Bastow, the report was
adopted.

financial statement.

The hon. treasurer, Mr. J. F. Haase, read the financial state-
ment for 1902-3, which was as follows : —

Receipts.
To Balance, 30th April, 1902 ... ... ... ^21 7 3

Subscriptions

£^o-j 18

Victorian Naturalist —

Subscriptions

£s

Sales

Reprints ...

Advertisements

Sale of Club's Badges

... I 8

,, Tickets, Conversazione ...

... 25 14

153 17 5

;^I75 4 8

Expenditure.
By Victorian Naturalist —

Printing ... ... ^T^ 10 7

Reprints ... ... 176

,, Rooms — Rent and Attendance ...
,, Library — Books

Periodicals ...

Binding

Insurance

,, Postages, &c.

,, Expenses Conversazione

,, Balance carried forward

^76 18 I

7
4

9
8

II
6

3
0

7
6

. II

. 21

Aj'JJ "-'

41 14

^175 4 8

J. F. HAASE, Hon. Treasurer,
zolh May, 1903.

Audited and found correct.

D. BEST, \ . ...

29//^ May, 1903. A. D. HARDY, j^""^""^-^-

38 THK VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

The following statement of assets and liabilities was also
read : —

Assets.
Balance in hand ... ... ... ... ... ^41 14 3

Arrears of Subscriptions (^42 7s. 6d.), say ... ... 27 o o

Library and Bookcases ... ... ... ... 120 o o

^188 14 3

Liabilities.
Subscriptions for 1 903-4 Paid in Advance ... ... ^^3 6 o

In moving the reception of the statement, Mr. D. Best spoke
highly of the work of the hon. treasurer, which he considered
reflected great credit on Mr. Haase, and his remarks were
endorsed by Mr. A. D. Hardy. It was pointed out that the
services rendered by Mr. J. Gabriel during the last conversazione
had materially reduced the expenditure on that occasion, and on
the motion of Messrs. Best and Shephard a special vote of thanks
was accorded to him, and on the motion of Messrs. Shephard and
J. Stickland the financial statement was adopted.

The opportunity was taken by Mr. O. A. Sayce to refer to the
valuable services rendered to the Club by the hon. librarian, Mr.
S. W. Fulton, who had devoted a considerable amount of his
spare time to the rearrangement of the library, with a view to the
compilation of a card catalogue.

OFFICE-BEARERS FOR I903-4.

The following office-bearers were duly elected, being the only
nominations received : — President, Mr. O. A. Sayce ; hon.
treasurer, Mr. J. F. Haase ; hon. librarian, Mr. S. W. Fulton ;
hon. editor, Mr. F. G. A. Barnard ; hon. secretary, Mr. J. A.
Kershaw, F.E.S. ; hon. assistant secretary and assistant librarian,
Mr. C. L. Barrett.

On a ballot being taken, Mr. F. G. A. Barnard and Mr. D.
Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., were elected as vice-presidents for the
ensuing year.

A ballot for five members of committee resulted in the election
of Messrs. G. Coghill, J. Gabriel, T. S. Hall, M.A., G. A. Keart-
land, and J. Shephard.

A vote of thanks to the retiring office-bearers was moved by
Mr. G. Coghill and seconded by Mr. F. Pitcher, and was carried
with acclamation, the hon. secretary briefly returning thanks.

NATURAL HISTORY NOTES.

An interesting note relating to the destruction of Vine Moths
by cats was read by Mr. F. Chapman.

Mr. J. Shephard recorded the finding of an interesting Rotifer
at Heidelberg which seems to be new to Victoria.

the victorian naturalist. 39

president's address.
The retiring president, Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., then deUvered an
address, taking for his subject, " Whence Came our Australian
Animals ?" of which the following is an abstract : —

One very striking feature of the Club's work is the publica-
tion of lists of animals and plants from different districts. We
recognize the fact that there are changes in the life of different
localities. The inhabitants of the Keilor Plains show a marked
contrast to those of Oakleigh or of the valley of the Watts.
These differences are due to various factors, an important one
being rainfall. However, when we turn our gaze further afield
we see differences that cannot be explained by climatic influences.
With a similar rainfall and temperature, Western Australia and
Victoria yet show many points of divergence in their plant and
animal inhabitants. The West has no Platypus and no Native
Bear or Lyre-bird in its forests, and no Eel or Blackfish in its
streams, while we have no Banded Ant-eater or Tarsipes and no
Spotted Emu in the East.

When we glance at the rest of the world we find in the same
way great differences, and we are able to divide the land areas
into regions marked by the groups of animals they contain.
Australia and its adjacent islands, in its great wealth of Mar-
supials, in its Platypus and Echidna, its Honey-eaters, Birds of
Paradise, and Mound-builders, as well as in the almost entire
absence from it of mammals higher than Marsupials, of Vultures
and many other widely-spread birds and animals, differs so
markedly from the rest of the world that we might divide the
earth into the two regions, Australian and non-Australian. What
is true of the fauna is to a certain but much smaller extent true
of its flora.

The success that has attended the efforts of man to transfer
animals from one country to another, as in the case of horses,
cattle, and sheep, shows us that climatic influences are not the
main ones that lead to the differences in distribution, and we are
bound to ask why the differences exist. Why, for instance, are
there no Kangaroos in Asia ? Why are there Tapirs in Malaysia
and in South America, and nowhere else ? Why are there Bears
throughout the Northern Hemisphere and none in Southern
Africa ? Did Tapirs come into existence twice over? Did those
most gorgeous of all birds, the Trogons, spring into existence in
tropical America, Africa, and India ? Now, one of the funda-
mental truths that modern biology insists on most strongly is
that close agreement in structure means relationship — means
blood relationship and descent from common ancestors. All
the Tapirs and the Trogons sprang from the same stock, and must
have migrated from a common centre, and have died out in the

40 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

intervening tracts, and it is one of the tasks of the modern
zoogeographer to trace out not only the route by which they
spread, but the date of their march.

Some groups of animals are ancient, others are young. The
Pigs are old, but full of vigour, while the Tapirs are also old, but
dying out, while, on the other hand, the perching birds, or
Passerines, are still in their vigorous youth. The connecting links
are still so abundant that we see relationships for every bird in
half a dozen different directions, and this it is that inai<es the
successful classification of the group such an insoluble puzzle.

The grouping of the lands of to-day is but a passing phase, and
geologists talk freely of land-bridges across what is now deep sea,
and of deep and wide seas extending over what is now dry land.
Mammal and bird, snail and earthworm, frog and fresh-water
crayfish, all find the sea, even a narrow strait, an impassable
barrier ; yet they are found in all lands, for

" He hath made the deep as dry,
He hath smote for us a pathway to the ends of all the earth."

We ought, then, by a study of the present distribution of animals,
and without the aid of geology to be able to plot the outlines of
many of the ancient continents with a considerable amount of
accuracy. Merely by studying the animals and plants of
Tasmania, we can assert with confidence the presence of a former
land-bridge, which recently, as geologists regard itj allowed a free
intermingling of all forms of life. Comparing again our fauna
with that of Southern Asia, we can assert, though with less
certainty, that there was a connection, but that it broke down
before the present Australian animals could spread into Asia, or
Asiatic into Australia.

Seeing, then, that these land connections formerly existed in
various places, we may consider the relationships of our fauna to
that of the rest of the world. One of the earliest facts that struck
botanists when they began to investigate Australia v/as that the
floras of Australia, South Africa, and South America are but
divided parts of one whole. This points to a former land
connection between the parts and isolation from the rest of the
world. The animals tell the same tale, though perhaps not so
plainly. Marsupials are now found only in America and
Australia, and the American opossums are so closely allied to the
family containing our native cats that their separation as a
distinct family is but barely justifiable. Extinct marsupials have
been found in Patagonia, which emphasize the relationship to
our fauna in a marked degree. Then an extinct horned lizard
has left its remains in Queensland, Norfolk Island, and Patagonia.
The group of Cystignathid Frogs, which comprises our Sand Frog
(Limnod'i/nastes), the Burrowing Frog of Central Australia, and
others, is elsewhere found only in South America.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 41

Among insects the Buprestidas and Longicorns are more
extensively developed in these two countries than elsewhere.
The freshwater crabs and crayfish tell the same tale of alliance
with South America and distinctness from Asia. On the other
hand, the evident alliances with Asia are practically confined
amongst mammals to the rats, which seem capable of finding
their way almost anywhere.

It has been objected that if there was this former connection,
the agreement between Patagonian and Australian animals should
be greater than it is, for there are many groups represented there
which are absent here. The explanation given, the truth of
which is vouched for by many independent lines of research, is
that the central and northern part of South America, which then
contained these forms, was divided from the south by a sea,
which was only bridged after the connection with the now
vanished " Antarctica " had broken down.

The present address professes only to give in rough outline,
with the omission of the large number of small facts which afford
cumulative proofs, and which exigencies of time and space
forbid my quoting, the now generally accepted idea that the bulk
of the Australian fauna reached us by way of South America
from an almost vanished equatorial continent where it had its
origin.

Messrs. F. G. A. Barnard, J. Shephard, and F. Pitcher con-
gratulated Mr. Hall on the interesting character of his address,
and after he had replied to several questions a vote of thanks,
moved by Mr. D. Best and seconded by Mr. C. M. Maplestone,
was accorded to him and carried by acclamation.

The newly-elected president, Mr. O. A. Sayce, then took the
chair, and in welcoming him to the position Mr. Hall referred to
the sound scientific work which Mr. Sayce had been carrying on
for some time past.

EXHIBITS.

By Mr. G. Coghill. — Specimens of Banksia collina (flowers)
and Lycopodinm de7isum, from Warburton.

By Mr. A. Coles. — Three specimens of young opossum taken
at Woodstock from the pouches of three females on ist June, the
first day of the open season.

By Mr. C. Coles — Pink-breasted Robin, Petrcecarhodinogastra;
Olive Thickhead, Pachycephala olivacea ; Yellow-eared Honey-
eater, Plilotis lewini, from the fern gullies on the Don Valley,
Launching Place.

By Mr. C. French, jun. — Specimens illustrating the life-history
of the moth Eulechria melesella, Newm., from Oakleigh, a de-
structive pest to lawns, &c. ; also. Native Cucumber, Melothria
muelleri, collected near Laverton, new for southern part of Vic-
toria, and only previously recorded from the N.W. of Victoria.

42 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

By Mr. C. J. Gabriel. — Shells from N. America, including
Fasciolaria distans, Fasciolaria itdijxi, Cyprcea spadicea, Oliva
Utterata, and Chorus helcheri.

By Mr. J. Gabriel. — Cuckoos' eggs, with those of the foster
parents : — Brush Cuckoo and Rose-breasted Robin ; Bronze
Cuckoo and Superb Warbler ; Bronze-Cuckoo (two eggs) and
Superb Warbler ; Narrow-billed Bronze-Cuckoo and Superb
Warbler ; Pallid Cuckoo and White-eared Honey-eater ; and Fan-
tail Cuckoo and White-fronted Sericornis.

By Mr. A. D. Hardy. — Blackfellow's tomahawk and splitting
wedge, from near Casterton.

By Mr. D. M'Alpine. — A new Gastromycete, Anthurus sepioides,
n. sp. ; and, on behalf of Mr. W. S. Brownscombe, drawings in
oil of the same.

By Mr. J. Stickland. — A fungus, apparently a species of Lysurus,
from Hawthorn.

After the usual conversazione, the meeting terminated.

BiRCHiP Heterocera. — In my " Notes on the Larvae and
Pupae of Birchip Heterocera," published in the Naturalist, vol.
xix., p. 132, the species spoken of as /)esto/??iia luieata, Walk.,
should be recorded as Capusa senilis, Walk. I am indebted for
this correction to Dr. Turner, of Brisbane, who states he has re-
ceived many specimens under the former name, and it is probable
that the moth which has been taken near Melbourne is also
referable to Capxisa senilis. — U. Goudie, Birchip.

Red Rain in Victoria. — In our paper on the above subject
in the last issue of the Naturalist (vol. xx., p. 17), we in-
advertently omitted to refer to the paper on " Red-Rain Dust,"
by Mr. Thos. Steel, F.L.S., F.C.S., read before the Sydney
meeting of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of
Science, 1898 (see " Report," vol. vii., p. 334). The paper
contains an analysis of some sediment which fell in the Moonee
Ponds district on 27th December, 1896, and agrees in the main
with the results given in our paper, but shows a higher percentage
of silica. Mr. Steel also directs our attention to papers in the
Chemical News bearing on this subject, one of which, by Dr.
T. L. Phipson, vol. Ixxxiii., 190 1, p. 159, is based on an ex-
amination of some red-rain sediment collected at Melbourne,
1 2th December, 1896, in which Dr. Phipson expresses his
opinion that, owing to the presence of nickel in his sample, " this
dust is partly, if not wholly, of cosmic origin, and not merely
desert sand uplifted by the wind." It has, however, been shown
by means of spectroscopy that nickel is present in minute
quantities in ordinary atmospheric dust of undoubted terrigenous
origin. — F. Chapman and H. J. Grayson.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 43

A Rotifer Record. — On the occasion of the recent trip to
" Springbank," near Heidelberg (28th March), the material
brought from the lagoon there furnished a Rotifer of the genus
Brachionus of very striking character in the form of the lorica.
As is common in the principal species of this genus, the spines
are conspicuous features, and in the species found on this occasion
there were two pairs of great length projecting fore and aft respect-
ively, the hinder pair curving round like the handles of a pair of
watchmaker's pliers. It was rather a coincidence that by the mail
arriving the week of the excursion the writer received from Mr.
C. F. Rousselet, F.R.M.S., London, some specimens for com-
parison which failed to present any discoverable disagreement
with the Springbank form. The specific name was B. Jalcahis,
and the specimens were from Hungary. This is a curious
example of wide distribution, and perhaps suggests incomplete-
ness of knowledge of the occurrence of these little animals.
However, for the present the record for this species is Victoria
and Hungary.— J. Shephard.

An Enemy of the Vine Moth. — Among the agents which
help to keep down the destructive Agarista glycine may be
numbered the "harmless, necessary cat." Last summer my son
frequently noticed one of our cats, a tabby, lying in ambush in
our garden, and pouncing on the Vine Moths as they fluttered by.
After giving thern a pat, and playing a little, the cat would eat
them. This character for sport was also shown by its mother.
Another cat of the same brood, mainly white, with a little tabby
marking, early evinced a preference for milk, and does not
share to such an extent in the carnivorous habits of her sister.
As the moth-hunting cat is a tabby it would be interesting to
know whether such show a stronger sporting tendency than those
less appropriately marked. — F. Chapman, A.L.S.

A Giant Mushroom. — Mr. W. A. Luhrs recently found at
Netherby, in the Wimmera district, a large Mushroom, which
weighed 13^ lbs. The diameter of the pileus was 18 inches,
and its thickness 4^ inches, while the stem was 8 inches in
diameter.

Personal. — Mr. Robert Hall writes from Japan, reporting an
interesting trip so far. He had spent fourteen days in Ceylon, a
similar period at Singapore, and a week each in Japan and Corea,
and, when writing, expected to reach Vladivostock, Siberia, in the
course of a couple of days. The full account of Mr. Hall's trip
will, no doubt, be interesting reading.

National Forests Protection League. — Through the
enthusiasm of Mr. J. Blackburne, late Chief Inspector of Forests
for Victoria, a league has been formed at Maryborough, with Mr.
Blackburne as its secretary, for the purpose of bringing before the
people of Victoria the urgent necessity for taking greater interest
in the forest lands of the State, and securing the permanent

44 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

reservation and proper scientific management of such areas. To
carry on its work and keep its aims before the public money is
needed, and all nature-lovers are invited to become members of
the League, the annual subscription to which is one shilling.
The hon. secretary of the Field Naturalists' Club has expressed
his willingness to receive and forward subscriptions and donations
from sympathisers, and we hope that members will do all in their
power to further the objects of the League.

Records of the Geological Survey of Victoria. — The
second part of this new publication of the Victorian Department
of Mines, edited by the Director, Professor J. W. Gregory,
F.R.S., D. Sc, is devoted to a " Catalogue of the Described
Species of Fossils (except Bryozoa and Foraminifera) in the
Cainozoic Fauna of Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania,"
by Messrs. J. Dennant, F.G.C., F.C.S., and A. E. Kitson, F.G.S.
The species are grouped under the three headings — Eocene to
Oligocene, Miocene, and Pliocene and Pleistocene, for the first
of which thirty-four localities are given, and about i,ioo species
listed, but why on the map appended the numbers of the localities
do not agree with the numbers in the lists, or why the reference
list to the map itself is not arranged numerically, instead of
alphabetically, and so help a worker at a distance who is ignorant
of the geography of South-Eastern Australia, is one of those
puzzles which authors so often set the general student. Under
Miocene nearly 400 species are listed, and about 250 under
Pliocene and Pleistocene. A good bibliography of the published
papers, &c., is included, in which the late Professor Ralph Tate,
F.G.S. , naturally figures largely. In a brief introduction the
authors state their reasons for the grouping adopted, but these
are completely nullified by the editor's footnote: — "The classifi-
cation and correction in the Catalogue are the authors', and not
necessarily to be generally adopted for the use of the Geological
Survey. — J.W.G." Such a note seems out of place in an official
publication. No mention is made of any plant remains in the
catalogue.

"Journal of Agriculture of Victoria." — This publication
was resumed with the May number as the first part of the second
volume, and is now edited by Mr. D. M'Alpine, the Government
Vegetable Pathologist. Among other articles it contains a report
on the St. John's Wort pest by Mr. C French, F.L.S., who states
that about 8,500 acres are more or less overrun with the plant.
Mr. French also furnishes an article on one of our insectivorous
birds, the Babbler, Pomatorhinus temporalis, Vig. and Hors.,
which is illustrated by a coloured plate drawn by Mr, C. C.
Brittlebank. Mr. D. M'Alpine contributes an article on an in-
jurious fungus, known as the Tomato-leaf Spot, Septoria lyco-
persici, Speg., which is also illustrated by a coloured plate by Mr.
Brittlebank.

Cbe Uictoridtt Haturalisi

Vol. XX.— No. 4. AUGUST 6, 1903. No. 236.

FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA,

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held at the
Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, 13th July, 1903. The
president, Mr. O. A. Sayce, occupied the chair, and about fifty
members and visitors were present.

REPORTS.

The hon. librarian reported the receipt of the following
donations to the library : — *' Proceedings Royal Society of
Tasmania," 1902, from the Society ; The Emu, vo\. iii., part i,
July, 1903, from the Australasian Ornithologists' Union;
" Bulletin of American Museum of Natural History," vol. xvi.,
1902, from the Museum; "A Biological Reconnaissance in the
vicinity of Flat-head Lake, U.S.A." by Morton J. Elrod, from the
author; Knowledge, June, 1903, from the proprietors.

ELECTION OF MEMBERS.

On a ballot being taken, Mr. S. Cooper, 113 Coppin-street,
Richmond, was duly elected a member of the Club.

GENERAL BUSINESS.

Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., brought under the notice of the meeting
the destruction of our forests, and called attention to the recent
founding of the National Forests Protection League, having for
its objects the protection of our forests, the encouragement of
tree planting, &c. He pointed out the results likely to ensue
from the indiscriminate cutting up and throwing open of our
forest reserves, and thought that this ought to be rendered
impossible, except by a special Act of Parliament, and said that, as
this Club is specially concerned in the preservation of the
indigenous fauna and flora, members should individually give all
the practical assistance in their power in forwarding the objects
of the League. He suggested that the hon. secretary might
receive and forward subscriptions from members who desired to
help in the movement, and in conclusion moved — " That the Club
express its sympathy with the objects of the National Forests
Protection League, and the co-operation of the members in
forwarding its aims be invited."

Mr. F. G. A. Barnard seconded the motion, which was strongly
supported by Messrs. D. Best, J. Shephard, and F. Wisewould,
and carried unanimously.

46 THE VICTORIAN NATUUALIST.

PAPERS READ.

1. By Mr. G. A. Waterhouse, B.Sc, B.E., F.E.S. (commun-
icated by Mr. G. Lyell), entitled " Descriptions and Notes of
Australian Hesperidse, Chiefly Victorian."

The author described a new species of " Skipper " butterfly
from Cairns, North Queensland, and the female of Telesto mon-
ticolce, Olliff, from Walhalla, Victoria, hitherto unrecorded. He
also gave some notes on the synonymy of Trapezites maheta,
Hew., with descriptions of two well-marked varieties of that
butterfly.

Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., congratulated the author on the
excellent work he is doing in Australian butterflies, and alluded
to some of the recent work done in the Skippers, particularly by
Messrs. E. Meyrick and O. Lower, whose monograph on the
Hesperidae will form a valuable foundation upon which future
workers could base their studies. He thought, however, that
Euschemon rafflesue, notwithstanding its possession of a frenulum,
should still be included at tlie end of the family.

2. By Mr. VV. Hopkins (communicated by Mr. T. S. Hall,
M.A.), entitled "Notes on Eels."

The author related a number of circumstances in connection
with eels which had come under his notice during a residence of
several years in the Winchelsea district, and made several
suggestions as to where eels breed.

Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., said the notes by Mr. Hopkins were of
interest as raising again the whole question of eel-breeding, which,
despite what has been done, cannot be regarded as definitely
settled. It has long been known that no sexually mature eels
have been found in fresh water, and since the days of Aristotle,
and probably before, the question as to how they bred has been
a mystery. It was known that eels at certain seasons went out
to sea, and that young eels a couple of inches long passed up the
rivers from the sea, and the natural assumption was that breeding
took place in the sea. But what is the young eel like when it is
less than a couple of inches long ? This question appears to
have been settled by Professor Grassi in papers published some
time ago (Proc. Roy. Soc. Lond., Nov., 1896, and Quart. Jour.
Micros. Sci., vol. xxxix., p. 371). Briefly, sexually mature eels —
that is, the common river eels of Europe — have been caught off
Messina at a depth of about 300 fathoms. Their ova produce
ribbon-shaped transparent fish, which grow to a couple of
inches in length. These had long been known as Leptocephali,
and are deep sea forms, only reaching the surface by accident.
These change into elvers, or young eels, actually decreasing in
bulk during the process. In this form we know them well,
and now see why elvers under a couple of inches are un-
known : there are none. Professor Grassi's work appears to be

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 47

beyond cavil, but the difificulty is that there seems to be a
steady supply of eels in inland places to which it is difficult to
imagine elvers or more fully grown eels are able to find their way.
Mr, Hopkins gives some instances which have come under his
own notice. Dr. Imhof {Nature, June, 1896, p. 134) gives a
more remarkable case. Eels were introduced into some Alpine
ponds over 3,000 feet above sea level, where none were known
previously. In some ponds all died, while in others they
flourished. The ponds are fed by springs, and have no apparent
outlet. The eels were put in in 1882 and again in 1887, so that
at the time of writing the youngest of the original eels must have
been 8 or 9 years old, and some of them are over 4 feet in length.
Yet in 1895 young eels were found in the lake. Evidently we
require further information on eel-breeding. Can anyone produce
a sexually mature eel from land-locked waters, and what is the
size of the smallest eel known from such a spot? I hope that the
remarks of Mr. Hopkins will lead to careful attention being paid
to the question, and that we may soon be in a position to speak
definitely on a point which should be capable of elucidation.

Mr. F. Wisewould mentioned that on one occasion, when the
mouth of the Powlett River was blocked by a sandbank from
communication with the sea, the water at the mouth of the river
was alive with eels, evidently prevented from continuing their
journey to the open sea. He also mentioned the occurrence of
large numbers of young eels in the waterholes about 3 or 4 miles
from Cardinia Creek. These, he thought, came from the Koo-
wee-rup Swamp into the Cardinia Creek, and then followed up
the low-lying swampy country between the hills. He had never
found eels in the waterholes on the hills.

Mr. J. Shephard stated that eels were very frequently taken
out of the water fittings of the Metropolitan Board of Works,
notwithstanding that strainers are placed at the commencement
of the reticulation pipes, showing that the eels must get into the
pipes when of very small dimensions. One specimen taken from
a pipe at Albert Park, he stated, was quite as large as a man's
forearm.

The president, Mr. O. A. Sayce, and Mr. G. A. Keartland also
spoke on the subject.

3. By Mr. G. Weindorfer, entitled " Some Comparison of the
Alpine Flora of Australia and Europe."

The author pointed out the characteristics of an Alpine flora,
and stated that, though the European Alps are 10 degrees further
removed from the equator than the Australian Alps, the tree-
growth extends to much higher altitudes there than here, probably
due to the marked difference in the prevailing vegetation. The
European Alps are also much richer in the number of orders and
genera represented, and the flowers generally are of a more
brilliant character.

48 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

NATURAL HISTORY NOTES.

Mr. A. Mattingley mentioned that a number of Echinoderms
collected by Mr. A. G. Campbell at King Island, Bass Straits,
had been handed to him for identification. They all proved to
be common forms on Victorian shores, and are probably common
on Tasmanian shores also. They comprised representatives of
the Phanerozonate and Cryptozonate groups of the Asteroids,
distinguished respectively by the large marginal plates, or the
absence or inconspicuousness of the marginal plates. Belonging
to the former were Asterina calcar and A. gunnii, while Stichaster
polyplax, some specimens being only three-rayed, represented the
latter group.

Mr. A. G. Campbell drew attention to his exhibit of the
flowering branches of a Red Gum tree. Eucalyptus rostrata,
gathered in May last on the Werribee Plains. The branches
were covered with immense numbers of red and green coloured
galls, which gave the trees the appearance of being heavily loaded
with fruit of some kind. On some trees about 80 per cent, of the
flower buds were turned to galls, while on others not a single
normal bud could be found. Each gall is found to contain
about ten or twelve larvae, probably of some hymenopterous
insect. As is well known, the Werribee Plains are of basalt
formation, and not adapted for tree-growth, the gum trees being
confined to a few depressions where water lodges in wet seasons,
consequently the production of seed by the trees in any quantity
would be wasted energy, hence the flower buds become the homes
of insect larvae.

EXHIBITS.

By Mr. R. A. Bastow. — Two specimens of Hepaticae, Trigo-
nanthus dentata, Spruce, and Zoopsis argeritia, Hooker, f. et
Tayl., both plants in fruit, collected at Macedon, November,
1902.

By Mr. A. G. Campbell. — Specimen of Eucalyptus rostrata
with normal buds, and others showing galls formed by hymenop-
terous insect.

By Mr. A. G. Campbell, on behalf of Mr. A. W. Milligan,
Perth. — Two new birds, described in the last number of the Emu,
Xerophila castaneiventris, Mill., seemingly a Western represen-
tative oi X. leucopsis ; and Acanthiza rohustirostris, Mill., a very
distinct and interesting Tit. Both species are from the Murchison
district of Western Australia, and are the property of the Perth
Museum.

By Mr. Perceival C. Cole. — Four " Churinga " or Bull-roarers
from Western Australia, North-West Australia, North Australia,
and Central Australia respectively.

By Mr. A. Coles. — Spiny-cheeked Honey-eater, Acanthogenys

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 49

rufigularis, shot at Ascot Vale ; also specimen of African Box
Thorn, seeds of which were found in its gizzard.

By Mr. C. French, jun. — Two fine specimens of Obsidian
(volcanic) bombs from Hamilton, Victoria.

By Master C. French. — Orchids — Pterostijlis parvijlora, with
two stems of flowers, and one stem showing basal leaves, on the
one plant, from Sandringham ; Pterostijlis rejlexa, showing basal
leaves, from South Gippsland.

By Mr. C. J. Gabriel. — Shells, Tellina staurella, from Medi-
terranean.

By Mr. A. D. Hardy. — Loranthus celastroides, growing as a
parasite on L. pendulus, which in turn is parasitic on Eucalyptus
sideroxylon, Ironbark, from Whroo, Victoria.

By Mr. A. Mattingley. — Echinoderms from King Island, Bass
Strait — Asterina calcar, A. gu7inii, and Stichaster polyplax.

By Mr. F. M. Reader. — Dried specimens of Xerotes elongata,
Benth., new for Victoria, from Little Desert, Lowan, To/io/97 ;
and Trifolium fragifer^hm^ L., from Wimmera, 21/10/95. Nat-
uralized, and new for Victoria.

After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated.

NOTES ON EELS.

By W. Hopkins.

(Communicated by T. S. Hall, M.A.)

{Read he/ore the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, ISthJuly, 1903.)

The statement was made some little time ago that eels breed
only in the sea. As I think this is incorrect so far as our
Victorian eel is concerned, I purpose putting on record a few
facts which have come under my observation during recent years.

The Angahook River, which flows into Airey's Inlet on the
eastern side of the Otway peninsula, has a sand-bar across its
mouth for from six to ten months in the year, the water soaking
through the sand and flowing into the sea at about the level of
high tide. There are plenty of eels in the river, and it seems to
me that if eels breed in the sea there should be at times numbers
of eels waiting to get out, and later on trying to get back to the river;
also young eels should be observed endeavouring to get in from
the sea. Now, I have had occasion to be there at all times of
the year, and have never seen an eel trying to get in or out, nor
yet young eels in the sea. There is a shallow bay just at the
mouth of the river, in which fish can easily be seen.

A fevv years ago we drained a swamp at Gherang. When the
water ran out, large numbers of young eels a few inches long
went down the drain. As this swamp had not overflowed for
several years, these eels must have been bred in the swamp.

50 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

Again, we are told that eels with ripe ova have never been
obtained in rivers, and if they don't breed in the sea, where do
they breed? The answer must be either that they have no ova
like fish, or else that they retire somewhere at a certain period to
breed.

When a large swamp goes dry "we find regular patches of eels
occurring in burrows several yards in length, and you can dig out
a patch of burrows, generally getting one to three eels in each
burrow, with a total of five or six dozen in the patch. Then
for some distance there will be no eels, then another patch, and
so on. Now it seems most likely that the eels breed in these
burrows.

On draining a swamp near the Barwon River, a lot of weeds
were put in the drain to keep back the fish, etc. At the end of
the swamp were found a few very big eels, and a large number of
white, worm-like things just about an inch in length and about as
thick as a thread. These were very eel-like in their movements,
and though I am not sure that they were eels, still it is possible
that they were the second stage of an eel's life.

There is another phase of the eel question which puzzles me.
Many years ago my attention was drawn to the presence of eels
in waterholes difiicult of access from any river. The explanation
usually given is that eels leave the streams and go across country
at night to the waterholes; but to prove that this view is in-
correct I wish to record the following facts : —

Near Airey's Inlet there is a swamp, which I happened to visit
when overflowing. A man had fixed an eel net across the over-
flow, and at the sides stakes laced with brushwood, so that no
eels could get by. He caught large numbers of eels in the net,
but none came up the overflow, which ran across loose sand, and
only a small portion of it reached the river. Some years later this
swamp was cleared out. The last time it overflowed was seven
years ago, when the water ran into the sand and did not reach the
river. When that swamp went dry last summer one man dug
eighty eels out of their burrows in one day, while others got
large numbers. Now, how did these eels get there ?

On the plains on the west side of the Barwon River, over tens
of thousands of acres, eels are found in nearly all the waterlioles,
and these holes are in all sorts of situations. For eels to go
across country to all these holes thousands of eels would be
necessary, and numbers would be stranded in small swamps and
crab-holes. I have had occasion to ride over this country before,
and just as these holes were drying up, and except just near the
overflow of a waterhole I have never seen an eel so stranded.
Many people whom I have questioned tell me the same thing.

Lake Murdeduke, in the Winchelsea district, has an area of
about 2,800 acres, and has not overflowed for at any rate two

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 51

generations. The water is salter than the sea, and in a wet
season large numbers of eels are washed into it from neighbouring
waterholes, and die there. How did these eels get to the holes
they had just left ?

All over the parts of the Murdeduke and Turkeith estates
that have tanks and dams flowing into the lake on the south-
west side eels are found, but farther on to the west, on the
Mount Side estate, no eels are found.

Now, I think we can take it as proved that eels must either go
overland in some form that we do not recognize, or else they
must be carried as ova or young in the mud on the feet of birds.
Just close to the southern corner of Lake Murdeduke are a series
of dams, which, though dry of late years, were for years before
fully stocked wiih eels, and there is every indication that eels
bred there. Birds coming from the lake would generally make
to these holes, especially at night, and would then go on to other
holes, and, if they carry eels, might in this way distribute them to
various holes. I may mention that a small hole was excavated
near these dams, and two years later no less than four dozen
young eels were found in it.

Another curious fact is that whenever a hole goes nearly dry
the young and half-grown eels invariably bury themselves in the
mud, as also do most of the large ones, but there are always a
few large eels which seem unable to do this. Has this anything
to do with the breeding question ?

On one dam built on the end of a swamp, when the water got
low the eels retired as usual. The eels left in the water were
taken out, but every day or so a large eel seemed forced to make
back into the water again. While standing on the bank I saw a
large eel act in a singular way. It rushed across the water, seemed
dazed, lashed the water with its tail, and tried to swim on when
it got to the bank ; after a while it turned and rushed to the
opposite bank, then in a little while seemed to calm down, and
swam slowly into the centre of the water. On one occasion lime
was put into a hole whicli contained a great many eels, the water
being fairly low. After a while an eel just showed itself ; next day
this eel was found lying on the bank, exposed to a hot sun,
gazing at the water. On cleaning out that hole a few weeks later
large numbers of eels were found in the mud.

On the Murdeduke estate it was decided to excavate a tank
on a site where there was a small hole about three feet six inches
in depth, which for two years had never had more than a few
inches of water in it, and which of course soon dried up, yet in
making the tank the men found numbers of eels at a deplh of
about six feet in solid clay, all standing straight up, with their
tails downward, all seemingly in good condition.

In Queensland stockmen are in the habit of driving cattle

52 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

into waterholes when they are only a few feet deep, and, keeping
the cattle a short time in the water, they stir up the mud, and
cause the fish to come to the surface, when the men can catch as
many as they want. I have forced eels to come to the surface in
the same way by making a hole muddy, and it can be seen that
the places eels would prefer for their burrows would be where the
water was salty, so that it would not carry mud in suspension, or
else in sandy soil.

The Wurdieboluc Swamp had been dry for some time, but
after the first rains thousands of young eels appeared in the
swamp. In another swamp close by eels grow to a large size, and
several over seven pounds in weight have been taken in the
overflow.

DESCRIPTIONS AND NOTES OF AUSTRALIAN
HESPERID^, CHIEFLY VICTORIAN.

By G. a. Waterhouse, B.Sc, B.E., F.E.S.

(Communicated by G. Lyell.)

(Read hefora the Field Naturalists^ Club of Victoria, I3th Jidij, 1903.)

In offering this paper to the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria I
have to thank Mr. G. Lyell for the loan of the Victorian species
under consideration.

From the following remarks two conclusions will, I think, be
obvious. Firstly, that in the Hesperidae the spots of the fore-
wing are far from being numerically constant. Secondly, that no
author should sink a species as a synonym without indicating his
reason for so doing, or, at least, quoting the description of the
species sunk. In further support of the first conclusion I may
say that I have examined over one hundred male specimens of
Telesto donnysa, Hew., in which I found a range of {xoiYifour to
nine spots on the fore-wing, while in males of Mesodina halyzia,
Hew., I have found specimens with one and sometimes even two
sub-apical spots.

Telesto monticol^, Ollifif. — Ilesjyerilla monticolce, Oil., Proc.
Linn. Soc. N.S.W., 1889, p. 624; T. monticolce, Meyr. and
Lower, Trans. Roy. Soc. S.A., 1902, p. 63.

Male, 11-12 mm. Head, thorax, abdomen, and palpi above
dark brown, below yellowish. Antennae above very dark brown,
below yellow. Fore-wing with costa straight ; outer margin
convex ; apex acute ; inner margin straight. Hind-wing rounded.

Upper side. — Fore-wing dark brown, basal area suftused with
yellowish, a small orange spot at end of cell, three imperfectly
divided sub-apical yellow spots, differing in size in all three
specimens ; discal stigma short, whitish surrounded by black.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 53

from sub-median to end of cell, outwardly from its upper end a
small elongated orange spot, in one specimen (and also in type)
a smaller spot below this last. Cilia brownish-yellow spotted
with dark brown. Hind-wing dark brown, basal area yellowish,
an indistinct orange spot at end of cell in one specimen ; in all
specimens a broad orange suffusion beyond end of cell, below
which are two oval orange spots, separated by second median
nervule. Cilia as in fore-wing, longer and paler.

Under side. — Fore-wing with basal two-thirds of costa and
whole of cell orange-yellow, apical area brownish-yellow, rest of
wing almost black, spots of upper side reproduced, but much
larger, sub-apical paler, rest darker. Cilia long, as on upper side.
Hind-wing with a conspicuous broad longitudinal yellowish band
through cell, interrupted near end of cell by a dark brown spot,
in some specimens centred with yellow, and again by a brown
bar near outer margin, below middle of this band two pale yellow
oval spots, reproductions of those above, and above it a pale
yellow patch ; abdominal area pale yellow ; anal area dark
brown ; rest of wing lighter brown. Cilia as on upper side.

Female, 12 mm. Shape much as in male, with apex rounder.
Head, thorax, abdomen, palpi, and antennae as in male.

Upper side. — Fore-wing dark brown, somewhat lighter than
male ; the spots of male all present, but larger, the discal series
consisting of four yellow spots — first and second elongated, third
smaller, lowest large, wedge-shaped, just above sub-median.
Cilia long, yellowish, spotted with brown. Hind-wing dark
brown, with a large cartridge-shaped yellow spot just beyond end
of cell, below which are two similar but smaller darker- yellow
spots, divided by second median nervule. Cilia as in fore-wing.

Under side. — Fore-wing with basal two-thirds of costa and
whole of cell rich yellow, spots of upper side reproduced, larger,
and, with the exception of sub-apical series, darker ; on outer
margin below apex a pale yellow suffusion ; rest of wing dark
brown. Cilia as on upper side. Hind-wing as in male.

Locality. — Near Walhalla, Victoria (3,000 feet). Captured in
February by collector (Mr. H. Jarvie-) of Mr. C. French, F.L.S.

This species is compared by Olliff to Hesperilla (Cyclopides)
cynone, Hew., and by Meyrick and Lower to Tra2)ezites (Pam-
phila) gracilis, Tepper, which are undoubtedly conspecific.
Both former descriptions were taken from the co-types (two
males) in the Australian Museum, from Moonbar (3,000 to 3,500
feet), near Mt. Kosciusko, N.S.VV. These specimens are faded,
and not in the best condition, which accounts for the spots being
described as white. This species bears a general resemblance, on
the upper side only, to Telesto crypsargyra, Meyr., from New
South Wales, which is also a mountain butterfly.

This constitutes a new record for Victoria, and the female (now

54 THK VICTOHIAN NATURALIST.

for the first time described) in the collection of Mr. G. Lyell is
the only known specimen.

TeLESTO INIELANIA, Sp. nOV.

Male, 15 to 17 mm. Head, thorax, abdomen, and palpi above
blackish-brown, below whitish. Antennge above black, club
below yellowish-white. Fore-wing with cosla straight, except just
at base and apex ; apex acute ; outer margin slightly convex,
inner margin straight. Hind-wing rounded.

Ujrper side brownish-black, without markings ; discal stigma,
from below sub-median nervure to lower end of cell, narrowly
whitish, bordered with black Cilia of fore-wing dark brown, of
hind-wing white, spotted with dark brown.

Under side. — Fore-wing brown, lower portion of cell much
darker, inner marginal area much lighter ; usually without any
spots, but sometimes a small whitish spot just beyond lower end
of cell. Cilia brownish. Hind-wing light brown, often suffused
with grey, usually with a curved discal series of seven whitish
interneural spots (sometimes absent). Cilia whitish, spotted with
brown.

Female, 17 mm. Head, thorax, abdomen, palpi, and antennas
as in male. Shape nearly as in male, with outer margin of fore-
wing more convex.

Upper side. — Fore-wing dark brown, with a discal white spot
just above second median, and in some specimens another below
it. Cilia dark brown. Hind-wing uniformly dark brown. Cilia
dark brown.

Under side. — Fore-wing as in male, with spots of upper side
reproduced. Cilia brown. Hind-wing as in male, but the discal
series very often wanting. Cilia brown.

Locality. — Cairns, Queensland. Captured by Mr. R. E.
Turner, who has sent me specimens for description, the males
being in perfect condition, the females slightly rubbed.

This si)ecies is allied to T. batlirophora, Meyr. and Lower, but
is considerably larger, darker above and lighter below ; the male
has a longer and narrower discal stigma, and in the female the
three sub-apical spots are absent. It has somewhat the appear-
ance of an unmarked Eri/nnisjuliginosa, Misk., but the narrower
fore-wing and the conspicuous pure white cilia of the hind-wing
are marked features of the latter species.

Trapezites maheta, Hewitson. — Uesperla maheta, Hew., Ann.
Mag. Nat. Hist., 1877, p. 80, male; Telesto praxedes, Plotz,
Stett. Ent. Zeit., 1884, p. 379, male ; I'el. phla^a, Plotz, Stett.
Ent. Zeit., 1884, p. 378, female ; Tra]>. mahHa, Meyr. and
Lower, Trans. Roy. Soc. S.A., 1902, p. 89, male and
female.
This variable species shows such constant differences in various

localities that a desciiption of the varieties appears necessary;

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 55

also a note on the synonymy, which has not been made clear by
Meyrick and Lower.

Hewitson's description refers undoubtedly to a male ; he gives
the under side as — " Pale rufous grey, except the lower half of the
anterior wing and anal angle of posterior wing, which are dark
brown. Posterior wing marked by four silvery white spots — two
before the middle and two below these, one of which is minute —
and by a less distinct white spot and several brown spots.
Habitat, Queensland. Exp., i/^ inch " (= 32 mm. double
measurement. — G. A. W.)

P15tz describes the under side of his Tel. praxedes as —
" Reddish-grey. Hind-wing with four white spots encircled
with black, two close together in central cell and cell ic, the
other two in cells ic and 2, towards the outer margin, a black
dot in cells 6 and 7. 16 mm. Port Jackson."

These descriptions agree with Meyrick and Lower's male T.
maheia, excepting only that they make seven silvery spots on the
under side. This is a form very rarely met with, the four con-
spicuous spots being usually present, and the other much smaller
ones being represented by dark dots, and only very rarely by
silvery spots.

Meyrick and Lower sink Tel. praxedes under Trap, symmonuis,
Hiibn., without assigning any reason for so doing. This cannot
be correct, for T. symmomus could scarcely be described as
" reddish-grey on the under side," and has more large spots than
given by Plotz ; the size also is a telling character, being the
same as given by Plotz for ornata, and less than that given by
him for picta, iacchus, dirphia, and peronii ; so Meyrick and
Lower could only be correct on the very unlikely supposition
that Plotz had in his possession only a remarkably undersized
specimen of symmomus.

Again, Meyrick and Lower sink Tel. phlcea under Traj).
jjhigalia (= Trap, phillyra), and here again they must be wrong.
Plotz describes ^^/iic/a^ta with references to Hewitson's description
and Herrich-Schaetifer's figure on the same page with his de-
scription of phlcea. The sexes of phigalia are anything but
markedly different, so I cannot believe that Plotz would give
descriptions of both, on the one page, as separate species ;
besides, his description of phlcea agrees very well indeed with the
female of maheta. Plotz describes his specimen as a female,
17 mm. ; locality, Melbourne.

There is no doubt that Meyrick and Lower are quite correct in
assigning the name j^higalia to Miskin's species ^jAiZ/^/^-a, as can
be at once seen by an examination of Hewitson's description and
Herrich-Shaeffer's figure.

It is not quite easy to decide which of the many forms is the
typical T. maheia, but as Hewitson describes the under side as

56 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

"reddish-grey," I conclude it to be the form extending from
Twofold Bay, N.S.W., to somewhat north of Brisbane, with a
sHght variation as we get farther north to Cairns, where a whitish
suffusion extends over the under side in the male — the only sex
of the Cairns variation I have yet seen,

I consider the following forms worthy of separate varietal
names : —

Trapezites maheta, var. phigalioides, var. nov.

Male, 15 to 16 mm. Shape much as in typical T. maheta, but
with outer margin distinctly more convex.

Upper side with the spots arranged as in maheta, except that
the lowest sub-apical spot is only half the size of the other two,
and is placed beyond them towards the apex ; the colour is less
shining, and the cilia of hind-wing are grey, spotted with brown
at termination of veins.

Under side with apical area of fore-wing and hind-wing greyish,
sometimes faintly tinged with brown, the spots of fore-wing as on
upper side, but larger, the spots of hind-wing as small brown
rings, never centred with silver. Cilia grey, spotted with brown.

Female, 16 mm. Shape as in typical female, T. maheta.

Upper side as in T. maheta, except that the lowest sub-apical
spot is nearest apex and the orange band of hind-wing is
broader.

Under side as in T. maheta, except that tlie apex of fore-wing
and whole of hind-wing are greyish. Cilia grey, freely spotted
with brown.

Locality. — Gisborne, Toora, and Wandin South, Victoria.

This variety is described from types (male and female) in the
collection of Mr. G. Lyell, from whom I have received duplicates.
It is superficially very like the allied species T. phiyalia, which,
however, is of different shape, and always has the cell of fore-
wing on under side orange. It can be easily recognized by the
peculiar position of lowest sub- apical spot in fore-wing, and the
absence of silver spots on the under side of hind-wing. Had
Plotz mentioned in his description of j)hlcea the misplacement of
the lowest sub-apical spot in fore-wing, and had he not described
the colour as " reddish-grey," phlma might have been considered
as indicating this variety, which is figured in Anderson and Spry's
"Victorian Butterflies," p. 119, under the name of T. phig/dia,
but that name rightly belongs to the species figured there as
T. 2->hilli/ra.

Trapezites maheta, var. iacchoides, var. nov.

Male, 17 mm. Shape ?s in male T. maheta, but apex of fore-
wing very acute, and outer margin quite straight.

Upper side as in typical male T. maheta, with the band of hind-
wing broader and deeper orange. Cilia greyish.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 57

Under side with the reddish-grey replaced by sahiion colour,
and the silver spots of hind-wing (usually six in number) of
moderate size, that of apex being equal in size to that of anal
angle. Cilia yellowish, spotted with brown.

Locality — Corao and Blue Mountains, N.S.W. (F. Brown).
Type in author's collection.

The colour of the under side readily distinguishes this variety.
I was at first inclined rather to think it a hybrid of iacohus and
maheta, but now that several males have been taken in two
localities it is best regarded as a marked variety.

The Black "Emeu." — Mr. Graham Renshaw, M.B., who has
on several occasions contributed articles to the Zoologist on rare
animals, &c., which are known only as museum specimens, devotes
the latest of his essays, in the March (1903) number, to Dromceus
ater, the extinct emu of Kangaroo Island. Mr. Renshaw, after
diligent search, can record only six specimens, but the where-
abouts of th^ee of these is at present unknown. He figures the
only stuffed specimen known, that in the Jardin des Plantes
Museum, Paris. It will be remembered that an account of the
finding in the Florence (Italy) Museum of a skeleton of this bird
appeared in the Victorian Naturalist (vol. xvii., p. 114) some
time ago, and gave rise to the query (Naturalist, vol. xvii., p. 128)
as to whether any remains of the extinct Tasmanian Emu survive
in museums, so far with no response. Mr. Renshaw regards
Dromceus ater as one of the rarest of the rare birds, but expresses
no opinion as to whether it and the Tasmanian are distinct or
identical species. This is a point which seems to require clearing
up, for, if the same, it is rather singular that the same bird should
exist on two islands at least 500 miles apart with no trace of the
species, or of a connecting link, on the mainland of Australia, from
which the islands are separated, in the case of Kangaroo Island
by a strait of only 10 miles across, and Tasmania of 135 miles.
Dr. Latham, the eminent ornithologist, in his " General History
of Birds," published in 1822, mentions having seen a pair of
" Van Dieman's Cassowary," one of which he figures under the
specific name of D. ater, but as these are now among the missing
specimens, it seems impossible to be certain as to the identity of
the Emus of the two islands.

The Daisy. — Mr. R. L. Praeger writes in Knowledge for
July on wild flowers of the most familiar and best-loved kinds,
among them the Daisy, of which he says : — " The yellow button-
like disk is composed of a myriad of small perfect flowers, with
yellow five-cleft tubular corolla, and ring of fused stamens
surrounding the pistil. Of calyx we find hardly a trace ; the close
packing of the flowers leaves no room for it, and renders it un-
necessary as a protective structure. In the Compositae the calyx is

58 THE VICTOKIAN NATURALIST.

usually reduced to a few hairs, which often play a valuable part
in aiding seed-dispersal, as we shall see, by growing as the fruit
ripens into a feathery plume or pappus, which acts as a parachute.
The marginal or ray flowers of our Daisy have no stamens — are
female ; and their corolla is white, and greatly expanded in an
outward direction — the only direction in which there is room for
expansion. These ray flowers, in fact, are largely useful in
advertising the otherwise inconspicuous flower-head. Similar
devices we have already noted in the wild Guelder-rose ; and we
may compare with these such flower-heads as those of the little
Cornel, Cornus suecica, and the Astrantias, in which the flowers
are surrounded by a ring of coloured leaves, which serve the same
purpose. Finally, our Daisy head is surrounded by a close-
fitting double ring of small leaves, the involucre, which encloses
the whole in bud, and plays the part that a calyx usually plays
in a single flower. . . . It is perhaps among some of the
larger members of the Daisy group that the composite inflores-
cence attains its greatest beauty and perfection. Examine such
a flower-form as the Ox-eye Daisy. First we have the close-
lapping scales of the involucre, securely enclosing the whole, and
protecting it when in bud. Then the splendid ring of ray-flowers,
whose object is to render the inflorescence more conspicuous.
Thus we find these enormously expanded corollas often assuming
a tint other than that of the main mass of flowers — white when
the disk is yellow, as in the Ox-eye ; in other species blue, or
purple, or yellow, accompanying a yellow or greyish disk. These
ray-florets have sacrificed their perfection as flowers for the
purposes of advertisement, and are usually devoid of stamens, or
sometimes devoid of both stamens and pistil. Finally we have
the dense mass of disk-florets, all perfect, producing a quantity of
minute fruits. As for the fruit of the Corymbiferse, a large
number rely on wind carriage, and the calyx-segments take the
form of hairs, which grow into a more or less perfect parachute
to aid in transporting the comparatively large fruit to pastures
new."

Boys' Field Club, South Australia. — We have received a
48-page pamphlet recording the doings of the above club during
the years 1893 to April, 1902. This society, which owes its
foundation to the enthusiasm of Mr. W. C. Grasby, its present
president, was founded in August, 1887, has for its motto — "The
naturalist loves life," and its objects — (ist) to encourage nature
study, and (2nd) to provide healthful recreation. The members
are principally boys of 10 to 18 years of age. Regular meetings
and excursions are held for purposes of study, but the great
feature of the club has been the Easter encampments, of which
thirteen have now been held, lasting from seven to nine days
each. These camps are usually attended by some thirty to fifty

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 59

boys ; in fact, so eager are the boys to take part in these outings
that restrictions have had to be made, so that members must
qualify for the right to attend. The work of the members is
chiefly in geology, botany, and conchology, and several new or
rare specimens have been secured in the latter department, and
the club has a cabinet of type specimens. The pamphlet is
illustrated with numerous camp scenes, and is well worthy of
perusal by all interested in directing the attention of young
people to nature study.

"The Emu." — The current (July) number of The Emu, forming
the first part of the third volume, is to hand, and contains a
number of interesting articles bearing on bird life in its various
aspects. " A Trip to the Stirling Range, W.A.," by Mr. A. VV.
Milligan, of Perth, is well illustrated, but the palm in the way of
illustrations must be given to our old friend Mr. E. M. Cornwall's
photograph of a rookery of the Sooty Tern, Sterna fuliginosa, on
the Upolu Bank, Great Barrier Reef. This has been excellently
reproduced, and affords one of the finest pictures of an animated
scene it is possible to conceive. In his notes on his visit Mr.
Cornwall remarks : — " I have often wondered how, on a great
rookery like this, the birds are able to identify their eggs, and
after carefully watching for a considerable time have come to the
conclusion that they are not at all particular whose egg they sit
on. Although the rookeries of different varieties are well defined,
the whole are so jumbled together that along the fringes where
two varieties meet the eggs are much intermingled, and in very
many cases Sooty Terns had taken possession of Lesser Crested
Terns' eggs and vice versd." This remark is in opposition to the
ideas usually associated with bird rookeries, and seems to be a
probable explanation of the doubts which have arisen in many
people's minds as to the birds' knowledge of their own nests in
such gatherings. In Mr. Thos. Carter's notes from South-
Western Australia is included the following note about a tame
Emu, communicated to him by Mr. R. Gale, of Fairlawn : — " The
bird was allowed its liberty on the Margaret River estate, and
apparently formed an attachment for a horse there, for when Mr.
Gale drove this horse from Margaret River to his house near
Busselton, a distance of 40 miles, the Emu arrived early the
following day, in spite of having had to traverse cross roads and
negotiate several fences of barbed wire and post and rails. Did
the bird follow the horse by scent?" The part contains many
items of interest to bird-lovers.

"Notes on the Natural History, &c., of Western Aus-
tralia."— This volume consists mainly of the scientific chapters
contributed by specialists dealing with the geography, geology,
climate, flora, fauna, &c., published from time to time in the
Western Australian Year-Book. These have been collected into

60 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

one volume by Mr. Malcolm A. C. Fraser, the Government
Statistician, and with the addition of maps and illustrations form
an excellent handbook to the natural history of Western Aus-
tralia. The maps comprise a general map, and one combining
the rainfall records and the zoo-geographical divisions N., N.W.,
S.W., and C. (central or desert). The chapters deal with — i.
Physical Features ; 2. Geography ; 3. Geological Features, with
a census of the Minerals, the South-west Cave District, &c. ; 4.
Climate ; 5. Aborigines ; 6. Fauna, including lists of Mammalia,
Birds, Reptilia, Batrachia, and Pisces ; 7. Entomology ; 8. Flora,
with a list of plants; 9. Forest Resources; 10-13. Scientific
Institutions ; and 14. Report on the Lake Yanchep Caves.

" Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales." — In the
May (1903) number Mr. W. W. Froggatt, F.L.S., Government
Entomologist, contributes an article on "Some Wood-boring
Beetles and Their Habits," in which four minute but de-
structive beetles are dealt with. A plate is given showing the
insect natural size and greatly enlarged. Mr. Froggatt continues
his notes on the Cicadas ( " Locusts " ) and their habits, men-
tioning eight species and giving figures of six, and concluding
with a good bibliography. In the June number Mr. Froggatt
writes on " Insects that Damage Wheat and other Foodstuffs,"
in which he briefly describes nine beetles and five moths, all of
which are very destructive in grain stores, &c. Seven of these
are illustrated, natural size and enlarged. References to literature
complete the paper.

Present-day Cave-Dwellers. — In an article published in
Knowledge a few years ago, Mr. Lydekker drew attention to the
evidence in favour of an Asiatic origin for the aborigines of
Australia, whose nearest relatives then appeared to be the Veddas
of Ceylon. " In a letter from Macassar," says that monthly,
" the Messrs. Sarasin, who are travelling in Celebes, announce
the discovery in the mountains of that island of a primitive people
— the Toala — presenting a remarkably physical resemblance to
the Veddas. Although these people have now been considerably
influenced in the mode of life by contact with the Buginese of the
coast districts, there is decisive evidence that a short time ago
they were cave-dwellers (as indeed are some of their number
now), while within a century or so ago they were in the habit of
using chipped stone arrow-heads and other weapons and imple-
ments. There can be little doubt that the Toala were the
primitive inhabitants of Celebes, and that they were driven to
take refuge in the mountains by the Malay invaders, with whom,
however, they now hold a certain amount of intercourse.
Assuming their affinity to the Veddas to be true, and it is scarcely
likely that such a remarkable resemblance can be merely
accidental, we have much stronger evidence than before as to the
probable Asiatic origin of the Australian aborigines."

the Uktorian HdturaHst

Vol. XX.— No. 5. SEPTEMBER 10, 1903. No. 237.

FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA,

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in tlie
Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, loth August, 1903.
Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, one of the vice-presidents, occupied the
chair, and about 65 members and visitors were present.

CORRESPONDENCE.

From the National Forests Protection League, thanking the
Club for the support given by members, and urging unrelaxed
attention to the reservation of timber country.

REPORTS.

In the absence of Mr. D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., Mr. F. G. A.
Barnard gave a short report of the Club's visit to the Zoological
Gardens on Saturday, i8th July, when there was a good attend-
ance of members and friends, who availed themselves of the
opportunity to inspect the various animals, birds, &c., under the
guidance of the Director, Mr. D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S.

Additional interest is given to these visits by the information
imparted by the Director concerning many of the animals on view.
Among other items of interest may be mentioned the Black Swans,
some of which were then sitting on their eggs, while several young
ones were seen running about. The Emu was also sitting on her
nest, containing several eggs. Altogether a very pleasant after-
noon was spent, and members left well pleased with their visit.

GENERAL BUSINESS.

Mr, A. J. Campbell drew attention to the destruction of game
on Lake Moodemere. He exj^lained that the lake was reserved
some yeais ago as a resort for wild fowl, but, owing to the drought,
the sheet of water has been somewhat reduced, and the waterfowl
are therefore congregating more in the limited area, and so
offering greater facilities for their destruction. Under cover of
shooting foxes and other vermin unscrupulous persons are also
destroying the ducks, &c. He therefore moved — "That the
attention of the Minister of Public Works and the Rutherglen
Shire Council be directed to the destruction of game on Lake
Moodemere."

Mr. G. Coghill, in seconding the motion, stated that some
years ago the attention of a former Minister had been successfully
directed to the matter.

The motion was carried unanimously.

.cX

62 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

Mr. J. Stickland drew attention to the necessity of again taking
some action for the protection of the wattles. Mr. J. Shephard
also spoke on the subject, and the Chairman undertook to send a
letter to the newspapers drawing attention to the matter.

PAPERS.

1. By Miss K. Cowle, entitled "Notes of a Visit to Mount
Roland, Tasmania."

In an interesting paper the authoress mentioned the various
specimens of natural history met with during her visit, and gave
some account of the geology of the district. A number of the
botanical specimens collected were exhibited, together with
photographic views and other objects of interest from the locality.

Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., congratulated Miss Cowle on the interest-
ing and useful work she had accomplished during her visit.
Messrs. R. A. Bastow, G. Coghill, and F. Wisewould spoke on
the paper, and the latter mentioned the difficulties to be met with
in collecting in such rough country.

2. By Mr. J. H. Gatliff, entitled " Additions to the List of
Victorian Marine MoUusca."

This paper consisted of a list of additional species of Victorian
Gastropod shells, which have been identified during the publica-
tion of the " Catalogue of Marine Shells of Victoria," by Messrs.
G. B. Pritchard and J. H. Gatliff, in the " Proceedings of the
Royal Society of Victoria." The author explained in detail certain
characters in several species of shells, by which they could be
readily identified, and illustrated his remarks with specimens of
the shells.

Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., in complimenting the author on his
work, mentioned that Mr. Gatliff, in conjunction with Mr. G. B.
Pritchard, had been working for some time on a " Catalogue of
the Marine Shells of Victoria." They had finished the Gastropods,
and were now working on the Lamellibranchs. He spoke of the
close resemblance of many of the shells exhibited by Mr. Gatliff
to fossil species, and stated that their work will throw much light
on the identification of our tertiary fossil shells. He stated that
there were now about 800 recent Victorian shells described, while
of our tertiary shells there were quite 800 described, and yet
not half had been dealt with.

NATURAL HISTORY NOTES.

Mr. T. S. Hart, M.A., writing from Ballarat, says :— " It may
interest some of the members of the Field Naturalists' Club to
know that the rare orchid Prasophylhim archeri was collected in
flower about ist May by Mr. R. Copeland in the Ballarat New
Cemetery, Ballarat North. I only remember it being recorded in
Victoria from near Maryborough, though, of course, it may be

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 63

commoner than I supposed. A Pterostylis, apparently praecox,
is now flowering in the ranges south of Amherst."

Mr. G. Coghill stated that P. archeri had been found at
Ringwood by Miss S. W. L. Cochrane. Mr. C. French, jun.,
stated that he had collected it at Oakleigh.

Mr. G. A. Keartland mentioned, as a result of protection, that
kangaroos were greatly increasing in numbers in the country
around Whittlesea.

Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., made some remarks on his exhibit
of Australian Lycgenid butterflies, chiefly Victorian, which were
labelled in accordance with Mr. G. A. VVaterhouse's recent
revision of the family, in order to call attention to the many
changes proposed in the nomenclature. In referring to many of
Mr. "VVaterhouse's determinations chiefly concerning the Victorian
species, he drew attention to that author's remarks expressing his
doubt as to the correctness of Messrs. Anderson and Spry's
record of March for the time of appearance of U^ia agricola.
Mr. Waterhouse says that he has "caught many hundreds near
Sydney, but none later than November." Mr. Kershaw stated
that he has a specimen taken as late as 30th January.

Mr. F. Spry, in speaking on the subject, slated that the record
of March for this species published by Mr. Anderson and himself
was quite correct.

Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A, referred to the spread of the Cape irid,
Romulea bulbooocliwa, at Inverleigh, and stated that members
would be interested to learn that the White Cockatoo, Cacatua
galbvita, had discovered that the bulbs afforded excellent food.

Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S., remarked on an exhibit of a valve of
a Diatom (Arachnoidiscus) which he obtained from the oldest
tertiary strata (Thanet beds) of Pegwell Bay, England. The
peculiarity of this fossil lies in the fact of its replacement, by iron
pyrites, of the original silica ; the surface markings of the valve
are also faithfully reproduced. These pyritized Diatoms were
first discovered by W. H. Shrubsole in the London clay of
Sheppey, and one of the reasons for exhibiting the specimen was
to draw the attention of microscopists to the possibility of their
occurrence in the Victorian tertiary clay beds where iron pyrites
is found replacing fossils.

EXHIBITS.

By Mr. R. A. Bastow. — Two Ophiuroids and Asterias calamaria
from the Ninety-mile Beach, Victoria, and a King Crab from
Singapore.

By Mr. F. Chapman, A.LS. — A valve of a tertiary fossil
Diatom, Arachnoidiscus, replaced by iron pyrites, from Pegwell
Bay, England.

By Miss S. W. L. Cochrane. — Wild flowers from Sandringham.

By Mr. P. C. Cole.- -Two specimens of the fruit of the Baobab

64 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

tree, Adansonia gregorii, showing aboriginal carved designs,
from North- Western Australia.

By Mr. A. Coles. — Specimen of Little Falcon, Falco lunu-
latus.

By Miss K. Cowle. — Photographs, botanical and rock speci-
mens, &c., from Mount Roland, Tasmania, in illustration of her
paper.

By Mr. C. French, jun. — Life-history of Longicorn beetle,
Strongylurus cretifer, which is very destructive to the Native
Cherry trees in Victoria ; also, aboriginal stone knives (polished),
from Swan Hill, Hamilton, Heidelberg, &c.

By Mr. J. H. Gatliff. — Marine shells from Victoria, including
Modiola victorice, Prit. and Gatl. (type) ; Zenatia victorice, Prit.
and Gatl. (type) ; Chioiie strigosa, Lamk. ; C. scallarina, Lamk. ;
and 41 additional Victorian marine shells referred to in his
paper.

By Mr. A. D. Hardy. — Two specimens of Hepaticse — Riccia
natans, a floating plant, from BuUeen, and Fimbriaria australis
(in fruit), a terrestrial plant, from Malvern.

By Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S. — Case of Australian Lycaenid
butterflies, including type of Miletus meleagris, Waterh.

By Mr. F. M. Reader. — Dried specimens of Brachycome
ciliaris, Less., var. glandulosa, Benth., new for Victoria ; and
specimens of the rare coniferous shrub, Pherosphcera filzgeraldi,
F. v. M., hitherto found at the Katoomba Falls only. Collected
by the Rev. W. VV. Watts at Leura Falls, Blue Mountains,
N.S W.

By Mr. F. Spry. — Case of Victorian Lycsenid b\itterflies.

By Mr. J. Tarrant. — Specimens of the bark of the Paper-barked
Ti-tree, Melaleuca squarrosa, Donn., Gippsland.

After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated.

SOME COMPARISON OF THE ALPINE FLORA OF
AUSTRALIA AND EUROPE.

By G. Weindorfer.
{Read he/ore the Field Nuturalists' Chih of Victoria, I3th July, 1903.
The remarks which I purpose oftering under the above title are
based upon observations of the Alpine flora of Victoria and the
Eastern Alps of Europe, the altitudes of which are practically
alike.

Whoever has once ascended a mountain cannot fail to liave
observed how the vegetation gradually changes, so that the
tourist presently finds himself amidst new and strange surround-
ings, in which the vegetation of the lowlands is replaced by one
of a totally different appearance. It is well known that in the

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 65

upper regions of the mountains the tree-growth ceases, and a belt
of stunted bushes and herbs continues, occasionally covering
large areas with unbroken vegetation, or forming patches amongst
rocks. The term generally applied to this region is the " Alpine
region," and the vegetation thereon is known as the " Alpine
flora." This paper deals exclusively with the " Alpine flora" and
not with the " flora of the Alps," by which expression a flora is
understood whicli would comprise plants growing in all eleva-
tions of the Alps in question. It must not be understood, how-
ever, that the Alpine flora forms a distinct geographical or
systematic class of vegetation, for this is not the case in either of
the Alpine flora.

It is generally accepted that the lower border of the Alpine
regions is formed by what is known as the tree-line ; but, clear as
this definition may appear, it cannot be strictly accepted as such,
for the following reasons : — The tree-growth does not cease
abruptly, but gradually becomes more and more stunted, and in
the shade of these bushes grow plants which decidedly belong to
the Alpine flora. In every case there is a considerable over-
lapping of the Alpine and the lowland flora.

The most important characteristic of an Alpine flora in general
is therefore to be found in its habit — its physiognomy — which is
the product of many and varied factors, such as soil, temperature,
air, moisture, situation of mountains and their incline, and other
influences.

A striking difference between the Australian and European
Alpine vegetation is noticed as regards the tree-line. Careful
examinations and records have established the tree-line of the
Eastern Alps of Europe at 5,700 feet approximately (in the
western part of the Alps even 6,400 feet), whereas, in my
estimation, the tree-line in the Victorian portion of the Australian
Alps is at 5,300 feet approximately — that is, 400 feet lower than
in the Eastern Alps of Europe. Mr. J. H. Maiden, F.L.S.,
Government Botanist of New South Wales, in his pamphlet,
" A Second Contribution towards a Flora of Mount Kosciusko "
(1899), says: — "The height of the tree-line is fairly constant
(about 6,500 feet)." I have taken the tree-line in the Victorian
portion of the Australian Alps to be where the normal growth of
forest trees ceases, at 5,300 feet, and have not taken into con-
sideration the dwarfed tree-growth into which the normal growth
is transformed. Mr. Maiden, however, does not explain in his
pamphlet the basis adopted by him for his statement. No doubt
the greater height and possibly more favourable conditions in
the Kosciusko group may explain the difference in the tree-line.

The diff'erence between the European and the Victorian Alps
is all the more striking when we consider their respective
geographical positions. The high plains of Bogong and Omeo

66 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

are situated under the 37th degree of south latitude, while the
Eastern Alps of Europe lie in 47 degrees north latitude. The
last-named mountain-chain is therefore ten degrees further
removed from the equator than the first-named, and must, there-
fore sliow a proportionate decrease in the j'early temperature, yet
the tree-growth extends to higher altitudes in the European Alps
than is the case in our Alps.

An explanation of this fact may be that in the European
Alps the forests consist, in the higher elevations, ex-
clusively of Conifers, whose dense growth resists more effectively
the encroachment of the heavy snowdrifts, and thus affords
more protection than is the case with the Australian forest,
where the Eucalyptus trees, with their high, slender trunks
and open crowns, are further apart, thus providing no
mutual protection against the ravages of wind and snow storms.
It is this general external difference in the forests which un-
doubtedly contributes a great deal to the changed characters of
the respective floras. Let us further take into consideration the
meteorological conditions in both Alpine regions. Mr. James
Stirling, F.G S , F.L.S., in a paper — "The Physiography of the
Australian Alps " — read before the Australasian Association for
the Advancement of Science, held at Sydney in 1889, says : — •
" Snow falls at heights above 2,000 feet, but at the lower levels
seldom remains longer than a few days, thawing quickly as it falls
unless in the shaded hill sides, where the frost hardens the crust."
The height at which snow remains during the winter months
begins with 5,000 feet. From here upward the first snowfall
appears about the month of April, and melts in the month of No-
vember. The snow, therefore, remains in these elevations during
a period of seven months, thus leaving a vegetative period of five
months. In contrast to this are the meteorological conditions of
the European Alps in question. There snow melts, at the same
altitudes as in the Australian Alps, about end of May, in less
favourable situations not till the end of July. The snowfall
commences often in the middle of October, thus giving the
vegetation a winter rest of 7^^ to 9^ months, and a vegetative
period of only ajS^ to 4^ months.

A similar difference will be observed in the respective tempera-
tures. The average mean summer temperature of Mount Hotham
is 55° F., in the European Alps it is 59" F., while the average
mean winter temperature for the Australian Alps is 41° F., and
for the Eastern European Alps 30° F. According to these
records there is in the Eastern European Alps a shorter time
available for the development of plants, though with a greater
range of temperature than in our Alps.

The result of this short vegetative period is that in neither of
the Alps can annual species find the favourable meteorological

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 67

conditions necessary for their growth, for it is obvious that such
plants would absorb so much time in forming their stalks and
leaves that the time of flowering and maturing the seed would
be so close to the commencement of the cold season as to
endanger their chances of reproduction.

The number of annual species in the European Alps is there-
fore limited to a great extent ; besides this, all the annual species
show a very diminutive growth, being almost without stalks and
leaves, in order to use as little time as possible for the develop-
ment of their structure, and to have the use of the warmest days
for the development of their flowers and fruit.

Although the plant-growth in the Australian Alps extends over
a considerably longer vegetative period than in the European
Alps, annual species seem to be entirely wanting. Mr. J. H.
Maiden remarks in the abovementioned paper : — " Without going
so far as to say that there are no annuals growing in the upper
regions of Mount Kosciusko, I do not call to mind any plants
from the tree-line upward that are not perennials."

However, it must not be forgotten that the relative frequency
of the species in the two floras is i to lo; that is to say, there
are ten times more species in the European than in the
Australian Alps. If, therefore, in our Alps some annuals
may exist, their number will consequently be very few. I may
mention that during a short visit to the Alps last Christmas
time in company with our fellow-members, Dr. Sutton and Mr.
Barnard, we did not observe any annuals at the elevations in
question. In the European Alps it is not uncommon for plants
which are annuals in lower levels to turn, in ascending to higher
altitudes, into perennials.

A further peculiarity of Alpine plants in Europe is the develop-
ment of the flowering organs before the leaves appear. There
the plants must make the most of the short vegetative period, and
in order to mature the fruit without loss of time, have to start
flowering immediately after the melting of the snow. During the
flowering time the old leaves play an important part as reservoirs
of foodstuffs. During winter stiff and leathery, and filled to
repletion with nutriment, they provide the flowering part of the
plant with the necessary food, and dry up on the budding of the
new leaves, which take over the same role as their predecessors.
In the Australian Alps, with a longer vegetative period, there is
no such necessary hurry, and the plants, without the danger of
losing time, may, in most cases, after the snow melts, start with
the formation of their stalks and leaves.

The number of species with bulbs in the European Alpine
flora is limited to two, belonging to the order Liliacege. In the
Australian Alps bulbiferous plants are entirely missing. This fact
may be explained as follows : — In the sphere of the Alpine

68 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

flora, for want of sufficient warmth during its short vegetative
period plants cannot devote their time to building up bulbs, for
which purpose, on account of the necessary chemical changes
and transformations, a high degree of warmth is required. The
role which bulbs play with plants in lower elevations is in Alpine
plants taken over by their leaves, which, as before mentioned,
serve the plants as reservoirs of foodstuffs for the coming season.
All characteristic Alpine plants therefore show, as a peculiarity,
the thickness of their leaves, and are consequently greatly in
contrast with their nearest relations of the lowlands. In the
Australian Alps we may observe this fact in certain plants, as
Eucalyptus coriacea, the Acacias, many Compositse, Drimys
aroniatica, Pimelea ligustrtna, Dianella tasmanica, Orites
lanci/olia, Westringia senifolia, and others.

A special mark of Alpine plants is their dense hairiness, the
purpose of which is exclusively to protect the plants against
extensive evaporation. I am under the impression that the
number of species with vestitures is proportionally greater in the
European Alps than here.

A further peculiarity in Alpine plants is in the crowded grassy
growth, with little stalks and small leaves. This circumstance is
explained by the fact that the plants of high mountains commence
with their vitality at a time when daylight already lasts from
15 to 16 hours. Now, as plants assimilate during daytime and
grow during the night, there is more time available for assimila-
tion, and plants with greater dimensions will therefore not have
such favourable chances ; m addition to this, of course, lower
temperature and other different circumstances, as wind and poor
soil, play an important part. As examples of this may be men-
tioned Slackhousia pulvinijera, Sccevola hookeri, Leontopodium
catipes, Gnaphalium alpigineuni.

For the same reason lofty trees in Alpine regions are entirely
absent. On the other hand, the branches of the low Alpine
shrubs are, by the weight of snow masses, mechanically pressed
down on the soil, an appearance which is especially characteristic
in the European Alps. To take one instance, the depressed
bushes of Finus muyhus, or the Knee-wood of the European
Alps, with which Eucalyptus coriacea of our Alps may be com-
pared.

Climbing plants, also, cannot find the necessary conditions for
their life, for the production of tendrils would occupy too much
time, which could be more profitably utilized for the production
of seeds. Of this kind of plant the European flora has only one
representative (Atragene alpina), while in the Australian Alps
climbing plants are entirely wanting.

We have now arrived at a feature by which Alpine plants are
mostly distinguished from the related species of the lowlands —

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 69

that is, the colour and the perfume of their flowers. Without a
doubt the plants of the European Alps are, in this respect, in
advance of those of the AustraHan Alps, and once more I quote
Mr. J. H. Maiden's words: — "A greater brilliancy and size
of the flowers has been observed in the European Alps.
I do not think that is specially true in regard to Mount
Kosciusko plants, perhaps because of the inferior height
of the latter mountain. The increased brilliancy of the
flowers would certainly, I think, apply to some species of
Ranunculi, which are so brightly yellow that one cannot fail to
remark it. As will be seen presently, there is not that variety of
colour in Mount Kosciusko flowers that obtains in the European
Alps. If we consider the plants I have enumerated from tree-line
to 7,000 feet, we find the colours of the flowers distributed
approximately as follows : — White, 36 ; green and inconspicuous,
10 ; yellow, 13 ; dull yellow, 6 ; purple and pink, 7 ; blue, i.
(Restiacese, Cyperaceae, Gramine^, &c., have been excluded.)"
According to this, the red and violet colours among flowers are
not to be found in our Alps ; on the other hand, the blue colour,
with one, and the pink colour, with seven, are very poorly
represented. This want of contrasts in colour (which want is
also found with regard to perfume) is no doubt due to the already
mentioned unequal proportion of the species represented in both
Alps. It is suflicient to point out that the European Alpine flora
possesses 63 orders and 280 genera (Phanerogamse and Acotyle-
donese — vasculares), while the Australian Alps have only 37 orders
and 75 genera.

A striking feature of the Australian Alps is the deficiency of
insect life, which is of such great importance as an agent in the
fertilization of phanerogamous plants. This will probably
account for the want of variety in colour and perfume.

Further, let me allude to some other peculiarities which both
Alpine floras have more or less in common, as compared with the
flora of the lowlands. With the proportionate paucity of larger
animals in Alpine regions is going hand in hand the deficiency
of spinescent plants, which find it necessary to protect themselves
against the extensive attacks of herbivorous animals. There are
in the European Alps only a few species, belonging to the genera
Rosa, Rubus, Cirsium, and Juniperus, with spines, but the
armature of these is not of a very formidable character, while in
the Australian Alps this class of plant is represented by
Hymenanthera dentata (Mount Kosciusko) and Daviesia
ulicina (Mount Hotham).

Finally I would refer to the richer green of foliage, and the
tendency to form rosettes of leaves, and with this I think that I
have mentioned most of those peculiarities by which both of the
Alpine floras determine their physiognomic character.

70 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

In conclusion I would say that, although the Alpine flora of
Australia does not compare in beauty with that of the European
Alps, yet it presents its visitor with an indelible picture, which
every Australian may justly regard with pride and speak of as
" the Alpine flora of Australia."

NOTES OF A VISIT TO MOUNT ROLAND, TASMANIA.

Bv Miss K. Cowi.k.
{Read he/ore the Field Natural isW Club of Victoria, lOth Augvsf, 1903.)
The following notes of a visit to Mount Roland in January last
may be of interest to members of our Club. The mountain is a
familiar landmark to everyone living in and around Uevonport,
on the north-west coast of Tasmania. It stands away in the
south, distant son)e twenty miles from the coast, and forms the
south-eastern boundary of the great bend at the Mersey.

Mount Roland is bold and rugged, its northern end being
an almost perpendicular escarpment ; its height is 4,047 feet,
and in winter it is often snow-capped. The northern and eastern
sides are composed principally of an ancient conglomerate,
the pebbles, milky white and water-worn, being embedded in a
reddish-coloured matrix. Some of the boulders at the foot of the
mountain are smooth and rounded, and look like inlaid work.
This smoothing of the rocks may have been the work of an
ancient sea, which left in the lower levels, between the base of
the mountain and the sea coast, the upper Paleozoic marine beds,
in which occur fossils, such as Spirifers, Aviculopectens, &c. We
did not find any traces of fossils in the stones brought from the
mountain.

For the first thousand feet the track winds up through a forest
composed of such trees and shrubs as the Stringybark, Eucalyptus
ohliqua, L'Her., Peppermint Gum, E. amygdalma, Lab. ; Dog-
wood, Fomaderris opetala,h3ih. ; Musk. Aster (Olearia) argophylla,
F. v. M. ; Silver Wattle, Acacia dealbata, Link ; River Wattle,
A. diacolor, Willd. ; the Prickly Acacias, A. diffusa, Edw., and
A. veriirillata, Willd. ; Prickly Box, Bursaria spinosi, Cav. ;
Sassafras, Aiherosperma moschatu7n, Lab. ; Stinkwood, Zieria
smi'hii, Andr. ; Honeywood, Bedfordia salicina, D.C. ; Cassinia
aculeata, R. Br. ; ]\Iint-tree, Prostanthera lasiantha. Lab. ;
Tea-tree, Leptospermuni I'ujjestre, H. ; and Guitar Plant, Lomaiia
tinctoria, R. Br. Among these were such smaller plants as
Pimeleas, Clematis arisiata, R. Br. ; the Purpleberry, BiUiardieri
longijiora, Lab. ; the Blueberry, Dianella longifolia, R. Br. ; and
the beautiful White Iris, Diplarrhena inorea, Lab.

Our first halt was near a spring, in the shade of some fine
specimens of the Valley Tree Fern, Dicksonia billardieri,

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 71

F. V. M., whose brown trunks were covered with masses of the
little filmy fern, Trichomanes venosum, R. Br. Other ferns noted
were Lomaria capensis, Willd., Lindsaya linearis, Swartz, Pteris
tremula, R. Br., and the Oak Fern, Pteris incisa, Thun. The
rocks were covered with many beautiful mosses and lichens,
the most conspicuous mosses being — Bryum altisehwi, C. M. ;
Leucobryum candidum, Hampi ; Dicrtmium hillardieri, Bridel ;
Hypnum cupressiforme, Simm. ; Lepidozia alothrin, Hook ; and
Ptycho)nnion aciculare, Labill.

The last two thousand feet are climbed up a ravine, over a sort
of cataract of loose blocks of reddish sandstone, the walls on
either side being masses of conglomerate some hundreds of feet
high, and on one side almost perpendicular. This ravine had
evidently been an ancient watercourse, but all that was left of the
stream was a small spring which trickled from under the moss-
covered boulders, into a sort of basin, and disappeared again
under the rocks.

From here to the top of the mountain we added to our
collections the Gordon Lily, Blaadfordia marginata, Herb. ; the
singular epacrid, Richea gunnii, H.; the Solomon's Seal or
Turquoise Berry, Dryynophila cyanocarpa, R. Br. ; the Swamp
Tea-tree, Melaleuca ericifolia, Sm. ; the Native Pepper, Brimys
aromatica, F. v. M. ; the Snowberries, Gaultheria hisplda, R. Br.,
and G. lanceolata, H. ; the Asters, Olearia {Eitryhia) hdifolia,
Benth., 0. pini/olia, Benth., and 0. gunniana, H.; SprengeUa in-
carnata, Sm. ; and the Golden Rosemary, Oxylohium ellipticitm,
R. Br.

From the top of the mountain there is a fine view of the
surrounding country and hills, and even the most ardent botanist
or geologist must pause to admire it, with that silent outreach of
the soul towards eternal beauty. The surface geological forma-
tions can almost be traced by the vegetation, especially where the
decomposition of the tertiary basalt has resulted in rich agricul-
tural land, with its fields of green potato-tops or golden corn,
backed up by virgin forest.

The centre of the mountain is flat, and around the edges are
great masses of stone, to the south all sandstone, contorted and
tilted aUnost perpendicularly. This sandstone is composed of
rounded grains of ancient rocks, and contains much iron, the
protoxide and peroxide compounds colouring the rocks various
shades of green and red.

Among the trees and shrubs growing on top of the mountain
may be mentioned Eucalyptus gunnii, H. ; Honeysuckle, Banksia
marginata, Cav. ; dwarf specimens of the Beech, Fagu,s cwa-
ninghami, H. ; the Purple Botde-brush, Melaleuca squaivea. Lab.;
the Native Heath, Epiacris impressa, Lab. ; E. longiflora, Boronia,
gunnii, H. ; B. rhomboidea, H. ; the Purple Heath, Tetratheca

72 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

gnnnii, H. ; the Artichoke, Astdia alpina, R. Br. ; Bceckia
gunniana, Schau. ; Gentiana saxosa, Forst. ; the Eyebright,
Euphrasia hrownii, F. v. M. ; the Yellow Thyme, Hibberlia
serpillifolia, R. Br. ; Cehnisia longifolia, Cass. ; with the Coral
Fern, Gleichenia dicarpa, R. Br., and a Lycopodium.

Of animal life we have but a poor record. A Black Snake
caused some excitement by crossing the track between our party.
We saw a few parrots and robins. Two long-haired caterpillars
attracted attention, one chestnut-brown with a golden band round
the middle, the other dark brown with golden spots.

On the 28th of March we again visited the top, but encountered
a terrific thunderstorm. The thunder echoed from crag to crag
with a deafening roar, the rain came down like a torrent, and in
the dense mist we lost the track coming down, and so missed all
the specimens we had gathered and put in the shade when going
up. At that time GanUheria hispida was looking beautiful with
its clusters of snowberries.

I should advise anyone intending to visit Mount Roland to go
the day before to the little village called Sheffield, which is some
five or six miles from the mountain ; or to Mr. Perkins's farm at
the foot of the mountain. Our party will never forget the
kindness and hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Perkins.

I am greatly indebted to Messrs. J. G. Luehmann and R. A.
Bastow for the identification of some of my specimens.

The late Mr. H. P. C. Ashworth. — It is with very great
regret that the death of Mr. H. P. C. Ashworth, a former hon.
secretary of the Field Naturalists' Club, is recorded. Owing to
want of space, an account of his work in the interests of natural
science must be held over for the next Natturalist.

Personal. — During the month the editor received a charac-
teristic memo, on a post card from Mr. Robert Hall, as follows :
— "Yakutsk, Siberia, 30/6/03. I have truly set foot in the
wonderful tundra country ; full of birds, teeming with mosquitoes,
and covered with flowers. Every place greets my eyes with a
new plant ; first a field of forget-me-nots, as large as those we
cultivate, then a paddock of Iceland poppies. Our common
onion occupies swamps, and most lovely orchids border them.
Buttercups and blocks of ice line the banks of the Lena River,
and flowering willows densely cover the numerous islands of the
broad stream. Everything is done on a grand scale, and Nature
in May wakes quickly from her snowed repose. Insects are
varied and numerous. The whole is a wonderland and a
surprise."

Cbe Uictorian naturalist.

Vol. XX.— No. 6. OCTOBER 8, 1903. No. 238.

FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA,

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in the
Royal Society's Hall on Monday evening, 14th September, 1903.
The president, Mr. O. A. Sayce, occupied the chair, and about
100 members and friends were present.

REPORTS.

A report of the Club excursion to Greensborough on Saturday,
15th August, was read by the leader, Mr. G. Coghill, who stated
that over twenty members and friends attended. The main
object of the visit was to see the Silver Wattles, Acacia dealbata,
in bloom, and members were not disappointed, for many lovely
specimens were seen along the banks of the Plenty River.
Masses of Clematis microphylla, in full bloom, festooned the
smaller shrubs, &c., and added beauty to the scene. The
Mistletoe, Loranthus pendulus, was found in bloom on many of
the gum-trees, and closer examination disclosed several seeds just
germinating on the branches of the trees. Though the district is
not a particularly good one from a botanist's point of view, still
several interesting species of plants were met with, among which
may be mentioned GreviUea rosmarlnifolia, somewhat rare on the
rocky banks of the river ; Hovea heterophyUa, Styphelia serrulata,
Veronica calycina, and Aster stellulatus. The fern, Woodwardia
caiidata, was also obtained.

A report of the excursion to Cheltenham on Saturday, 29th
August, was given by Mr. G. Weindorfer, who acted as leader of
the botanical section. He stated that, being early in the season,
only about twenty species were obtained in bloom. Of these,
Euphrasia brownii, Acacia oxycedrus, and Sprengelia incarnata
were in the most perfect condition. The country was very
swampy, and prevented much investigation. Mr. J. Stickland
reported that the pond-life section of the party obtained a fair
variety of species characteristic of the district, but one rotifer
obtained does not seem to have been recorded before, and will
probably prove new to science.

A report of the excursion to Ringwood on Saturday, 12th
September, was given by the leader, Mr. C. French, jun., who
reported a good attendance of members. A number of interesting
plants were met with, such as Ophioglossum vulgatum (in fruit),
Phylloylossum drummondi, Utricidaria dichotoma ; the orchids
Galadenia deformis, Pterostylis harhata, Diuris maculata, and
the rare Prasophyllum archeri (in seed). Acacia myrtifolia was
beautifully in bloom, and a novelty in Wurmhea dioica, with pink

74 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

flowers, was secured. A number of micro-fungi were also col-
lected. Both birds and insects were scarce, only a few common
species of the former being seen. About forty species of plants
in bloom were collected.

The hon. librarian reported the receipt of the following
donations to the library : — " Bulletin of the Geological Survey
of Victoria," No. i, and "Reports of Geological Survey of
Victoria, No. i : The Chiltern Goldfield," from the Department
of Mines, Victoria ; Joi^rnal of Agriculture, Victoria, vol. ii., part
2 (July, 1903), from Department of Agriculture, Victoria; Agri-
cultural Gazette of New South Wales, vol. xiv., part 17 (July,
1903), and "Geological Reports, No. 3 : Kerosene and Shale,"
from the Department of Mines and Agriculture, Sydney; "A
Critical Revision of the Genus Eucalyptus," part 3, and " Forest
Flora of New South Wales," part 4, by J. H. Maiden, F.L.S.,
Government Botanist of New South Wales, from the author ;
" Proceedings of Linnean Society of New South Wales," 1903,
part I, from the Society ; " Proceedings of Royal Society of South
Australia," vol. xxvii., part i, from the Society ; Minnesota
Botanical Sttidies, part 2 (July, 1903); Nature Notes, ]une and
July, 1903, from the Selborne Society, London; and Knowledge,
July, 1903, from the proprietors.

GENERAL BUSINESS.

Mr. D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., mentioned that a Natural History
Society had been formed in Perth, Western Australia (with which
was incorporated the Mueller Botanical Society), under the title
of the West Australian Natural History Society. He desired to
move — "That the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria congratulates
the West Australian Natural History Society on its formation,
and wishes it a successful career."

The motion was seconded by Mr. T. Wisewould, and carried
unanimously.

PAPERS READ.

I. By Professor Baldwin Spencer, M.A., F.R.S., entitled
" Across Australia."

The author, who has made several visits to the centre of
Australia, first gave a general account of the geography and
physical features of the central portion of the continent, illus-
trating his remarks with a fine series of lantern slides of the more
striking scenes. Some notes of the zoology and botany met with
during his expedition with Mr. F. Gillen to study the habits and
customs of the natives in the country north of the Macdonnell
Ranges were also given, as well as a brief account of the natives
and their habits, each being fully illustrated by lantern slides.

Mr. J. Searle again kindly placed his lantern and services at
the disposal of his fellow-members.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 75

NATURAL HISTORY NOTES.

Mr. G. A. Keartland explained, in connection with liis exhibit
of specimens of the White-backed Swallow and their eggs, that
although these birds are so frail in structure, they tunnel from
2 to 3 feet into the wall of a sandbank to breed. The eggs
exhibited were taken from a hole 2 feet 6 inches in the bank of
the Finke River, which required over an hour's hard work with
a large screw-driver to dig out.

The President drew the attention of members to the Mueller
medals exhibited on the table, which are to be awarded by the
Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science.

EXHIBITS.

By Mr. E. E. Barker, F.R.M.S.— Two nests of living Bull
Ants, Myrmecia fortijicata and M. sanguinea.

By Mr. P. C. Cole. — A small ornamented " Churinga" from
North-Western Australia, and a pair of Corrobboree Sticks from
the Western District, Victoria.

By Miss K. Cowle. — The following fossils from New South
Wales : — Spirifer duodecinicostahts, Black Head ; Spirifer
convolutus ; Martiniopsis, sp. ; Platychisma, Permo-carboniferous,
Black Head ; Terebratula, sp., Permo-carboniferous, Black Head ;
Mourlonia pleurotomata, Permo-carboniferous, Black Head ; M.
morrisii, Permo-carboniferous, Black Head ; Stenopora, sp.,
Permo-carboniterous, Black Head ; Fenestella, sp. ; Glossoptens,
sp., Permo-carboniferous coal measures, Belambi ; Halysites,
sp., Silurian Limestones, at Molong ; Stomatopora, sp. ; petrified
wood. New South Wales, and Caulfield, Victoria ; and Tasmanian
aboriginal flints.

By Messrs. J. E. Dixon and C. French, jun. — Fungus
(Microcera), parasitic on Mussel Scale Insects (Mytilaspis, sp.),
on Hymenanthera banskii, Yarra River, near Fairfield Park.

By Mr. C. French, F.L.S. — Butterflies — Morpho rhetenor, Peru;
M. aurora, Bolivia ; and 3f. adonis, Amazons — not previously
exhibited in Victoria.

By Mr. C. French, jun. — Aboriginal stone tomahawk,
measuring 8^ inches long, ploughed up at Warragul, Gippsland;
also, a stone found under the skull of an aboriginal, from near
Hamilton. These stones are fairly common in the Hamilton
district. This specimen is peculiar, being hollowed on both sides ;
usually only one side is hollow.

By Mr. C. J. Gabriel. — Marine shells, Ranella albi-varicosa
and It spinosum, from South Sea Islands.

By Mr. G. A. Keartland. — A pair of White-backed Swallows
and eggs, from Finke River, Central Australia.

By Mr. A. Mattingley. — An aborginal message-stick, from
North-Western Australia.

76 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

By Mr. B. NichoUs, on behalf of Mr. Knight. — Four snakes,
including two White-lipped Snakes, Hoplocephalus coronoides,
Giinth., from Thornton, Vic.

By Mr. F. M. Reader. — Dried specimens of Erysimum
repandum, naturalized and new for Victoria ; and a series of
dried mosses from Westland, New Zealand, from the herbarium
of and collected by Mr. T. W. Naylor Beckett.

By Mr. A. 0. Thiele. — An Obsidian Bomb, from Balmoral, Vic.

By Mr. H. B. Williamson. — Dried plants, Lepyrodia scariosa,
new for Victoria, from the Grampians, January, 1902; Gratlola
nana, from Hawkesdale, Vic, 1885, new for S.W. of Victoria;
and Rumex pulcher, Linn., introduced from Europe, naturalized
in Victoria, from Curdie's River, January, 1903.

[Correction. — The plant exhibited as Xanthosia atkinsoniana
(misprinted atkinsonia) recorded in Vict. Nat., xix., p. 136,
proves to be a form of Xanthosia dissecta, J. Hooker. — H.B.W.]

After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated.

ACROSS AUSTRALIA.

By Professor Baldwin Spencer, M.A., F.R.S.

(Delivered before Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 1th Sept., 1903.)

[The following is an outline of Prof. Spencer's remarks, delivered vivd voce
in explanation of a large series of lantern slides. — Ed. Vict. Nat.\

To many present there will be little new in what I have to tell
you to-night, but as in many minds there is a vague uncertainty as
to what the centre of Australia is like, I propose, with the aid of
the lantern slides, to give you some idea of the appearance of the
country passed over by Mr. F. Gilleii and myself during our
journey from south to north, which occupied slightly more than
twelve months, in 1 901-2.

After a three-days' train journey north from Adelaide the
traveller reaches Oodnadatta (688 miles), the present terminus of
the proposed transcontinental line. Further travel northwards
depends entirely upon the nature of the season. In the central
part of the continent you are very liable to meet with bad
seasons. In fact, it is sometimes quite impossible to travel with
horses, and camels must then be taken.

On our expedition we were able to get right through with
horses, of which we had twenty with us — eight for use in the dray,
and the rest as riding and pack horses. We sent ahead sup-
plies of food, &c., to last a year, to certain depots, and picked
these up as we advanced, always carrying a working supply with
us in the dray, as well as various articles to barter with the natives.
The journey is very monotonous and uninteresting, from a scenic
point of view, but there is really no serious difficulty in crossing
the continent.

THK VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

Some notes on camel travelling may be interesting. Of course
the great advantage of camels is that they can go for so long
without water, whilst carrying a supply of this for the travellers. A
record of 24 days without water is, I believe, the longest one in
Australia. The camels always travel in single file, tied together
by a string from the tail of one to the nose of the one following,
and so on. An ordinary loading camel only travels about
three miles an hour, but a good, well-lrained riding camel
is just as pleasant to ride as a good riding horse. In regard to
the comfort of riding there is just as much difference between
camels as between horses. The camel moves both legs on the
one side at the same time, which gives a pleasant ambling motion,
and gets along at a rate of about ten miles an hour. A camel
when angry is very vicious, and has a happy knack of reserving
its breakfast for you, and spitting this out when you come within
range. It also contrives by some means or another to force air
in behind the uvula so as to form a bladder, which conies out at
the side of the mouth. The beast makes a bubbling sound, while
the bladder grows larger and larger until it is as big as its head,
after which it is gradually withdrawn.

Regarding the physical features of the central area of the Con-
tinent, the following are briefly the more important ones. North
from Adelaide there runs a range of hills reaching in parts an
elevation of nearly 3,000 feet. Its course is at first parallel to the
eastern shore of the Spencer Gulf. From the head of this it is
continued northwards as the Flinders Range, and then branches
off to the north-west, separating the basin of Lake Torrens from
that of Lake Eyre, The railway crosses this range into the Lake
Eyre basin, running along close to the southernmost point of the
lake, where it is actually 39 feet below sea level. From this
point the land gradually rises until in the centre there is a plateau
2,000 feet high, forming the higher steppes. Across this plateau
run the Macdonnell Ranges, which have the form of a series of
parallel, rugged, mainly quartzite, ridges, and stretch almost due
east and west for between 300 and 400 miles. The rivers which
drain southwards from them into Lake Eyre actually take their
rise to the north of the ranges, and cut their way through them by
means of deep and often narrow gorges, which afford the only
means of traversing the ranges. The highest peaks have an
elevation of slightly under 5.000 feet above sea level. To the
south-west of these central ranges lies a smaller basin centering
in Lake Amadeus. North of the Macdonnells is the Burt Plain.
To the north of this again the country is crossed here and there
by unimportant ranges, but, on the whole, gradually falls from an
elevation of 1,800 feet to one of 700 feet at Powell Creek.
Approaching the coast it once more rises, but only slightly, as the
highest point of the watershed, where we crossed it on our way

78 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

to the Gulf of Carpentaria, was only i,ooo feet. We have thus
to the north of the Macdonnell Ranges a great inland basin,
bounded eastwards and northwards by the coastal ranges.

In the Amadean basin there are practically no streams other
than very short ones, which soon become lost in the sandhills and
flats. In the northern inland parts there are only a few com-
paratively small streams, the most important being represented by
an irregular series of watercourses, draining during flood time into
the so-called Lake Woods, which is really only the overflow of
Newcastle Waters. In the Lake Eyre basin the streams are larger,
and we have definite watercourses, draining, as in the case of the
Warburton, Barcoo, Macumba, and Finke Rivers, a very wide
extent of country, but these streams only actually flow at rare
intervals, such water as they contain being met with, under
ordinary conditions, in scattered waterholes, which, in dry
seasons, may be very few and far between, or practically absent.

Leaving Oodnadaita, we travelled slowly northwards, gradually
rising over the step^^es into the central districts of the continent,
across flat and stony country ; but in the rainy season this part
becomes so covered with herbage that one wonders where it all
comes from. Here and there are low-lying, flat-topped hills,
composed of sandstone with a thin capping of hard quartzite, the
breaking down of which gives rise to the stones which cover the
surface of the stony plains. Further north the country consists of
flat, open, thinly-grassed plains, where the flies are often a great
nuisance. They are very troublesome, to the eyes especially,
and their bites often cause the eyelids to swell to a great size,
giving rise to what is locally known by the expressive term of
'* bung-eye." So great a nuisance were they that we had to make
smoke-fires to keep them away while we loaded the horses, who
at times were nearly driven mad by their pertinacity.

Travelling north for about 200 miles we came to the Charlotte
Waters telegraph station. Here, during the greater part of the
year, the country is barren, but during the rainy season it has a
slight growth of herbage.

Getting towards the Finke River there are a few picturesque
spots, where the rocks have weathered into fantastic shapes,
resembling ruined castles, &c., or stand out above the sur-
rounding sandhills in column form. At last we reached the river,
which in its course has cut through the distant Macdonnell
Ranges. The banks are lined with gum-trees, and the country,
which in the dry season is almost impassable for want of water, is
at rare intervals almost as impassable on account of floods ; for
the waters rise very rapidly among the ranges in the centre, and
come down in tremendous quantities, spreading far and wide over
the low-lying lands.

The animal life here is very interesting, on account of its methods

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 79

of adaptation to climate. In the dry season one would imagine
that no animal or plant life could exist, but immediately rain falls
animal life seems to spring from the ground. The natives will
soon initiate you into the manner in which the animals live.
The frogs, for example, dig into the ground and make a coating
of earth around themselves, which hardens, and thus closes
them in. In this they w^ait until the rain falls, when they come
out and gorge themselves with a stock of food and prepare for
the next time they will be closed up. When the rain is dis-
appearing they fill themselves out with as much water as possible
and go into the holes which they make. The natives are aware
of this habit, and, if thirsty and unable to obtain water otherwise,
will obtain the frogs and get the water from them. Each frog
contains about half a wineglassful.

Going westward into the Amadeus basin we have only a very
few small streams, which generally run out from low ranges on to
the plains and get lost in the sand. The lake itself for the greater
part of the year is perfectly dry, and its bed is coated with pure
white salt. A large extent of this country is covered with Porcu-
pine Grass, which grows in large tussocks, from one to three or
four yards in diameter. This grass forms one of the greatest
obstacles to travelling, owing to its being armed with spikes, which
tear your horses and yourselves. A special form of the She-Oak
(Casiiarina decaisneana) grows here, and affords the only shelter
which can be obtained from the heat of the sun, which is often
intense.

On the southern side of the lake, Ayers Rock, which rises
precipitously to a height of t,ioo feet, is a prominent feature in
the landscape. Its surface is covered with small holes, one above
the other, which must have been formed by the water as it
descends during the rainy season in cascades down the steep
sides. Some twenty miles further away to the west is situated
Mount Olga, a group of bare, bold, rounded masses, rising to a
height of 1,500 feet above the level plain.

Leaving the Amadean basin and travelling north, we come to
the Macdonnell Ranges, with their intricate gorges. These are
often very narrow and almost impossible to traverse, owing to
there being either water or dense scrub in them. Some are very
picturesque, the rocks being a red quartzite, and clothed with a
greater variety of vegetation.

At one spot, and one spot only, we meet with a palrn
{Livistona marice), discovered by the explorer Giles in 1872. It
is closely allied to the Cabbage-tree Palm of eastern Australia,
but is known only in the one locality, where probably not more
than two hundred plants exist. It grows to the height of perhaps
80 feet, and is the only palm you will see during the whole
journey to the Gulf of Carpentaria.

80 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

Further north the scenery is very monotonous. On the hills
we often met with a curious gum-tree {Eucalyptus terminalis),
remarkable on account of its dazzling white stem. The whiteness
is due to a peculiar powdery surface on the bark, which the
natives use for powdering their head-bands and other ornaments.

We now travel north over the Burt Plain, the country sloping
gradually in the direction we are going. A prominent feature
here is Central Mount Stuart, which, as nearly as possible,
occupies the very centre of Australia. The early explorers had
great difficulty in getting through this countrv, owing to the
Mulga scrub {Acacia aneura) being armed with very sharp thorns
or spikes, which, when ihey prick your hands or body, are apt to
cause a disagreeable sore. Now, owing to the space cleared for
the telegraph line, it is quite a simple matter.

Barrow Creek Station, our next stopping place, about 1,200
miles north of Adelaide, was, some thirty years ago, soon after
the telegraph line was opened, the scene of the only attack ever
made by the natives on the telegraph officials. North of this we
meet with the Bean-trees {Krythrina vespertilio), the wood of
which the natives use for making shields, &c., while the trees
themselves are used as resting-places for the bodies of the dead
until the time arrives for buiying them.

The whole surface of the country is covered with the hillocks
of the White Ant, giving it a peculiar appearance, while here and
there are ranges of granite hills, the stones of which, in many
places, have weathered into perched boulders.

At Powell's Creek, 250 miles further north, we meet with the
Bauhinia trees for the first time. This tree also belongs to the
Leguminosge, and extends to Northern Queensland. A eucalyptus,
Ji!. platyphyl/a, in this neighbourhood is remarkable for the size of
its leaves when in the saphng stage ; they are fully a foot in length
and four to five inches in width, In the full-grown tree the
leaves are of the usual size.

The northern part of this country was extremely disappointing,
as we had expected to meet with at least semi-tropical vegetation
towards the Gulf country ; but there was nothing of the kind, only
poor gum scrub, with Bauhinias and India-rubber trees, the latter
so-called because when the bark is cut there exudes a white fluid
which hardens to about the consistency of india rubber. Water
lilies grow in the pools, and are very beautiful when in bloom.
To the natives they are very useful as articles of food, the stems
being eaten raw, while the roots are roasted and treated much in
the same way as we use potatoes. A tree which is of great
service to the natives in this part of the country is the Paper-bark,
Melaleuca leucodendron. When we were there the trees were
covered with beautiful pendent spikes of blossoms. The bark is
used by the natives for wrapping around various objects. In

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 81

some parts, called Blue-bush swamp country, there are great deep
cracks in the soil, which make it very difficult to travel over, the
horses being liable to step into the cracks and so break their
legs.

In the Gulf country the temperature rises to between ioo° and
115° in the shade in the hottest part of the day. At night time
the atmosphere is very still, and the mosquitoes are a great trouble.
Every morning about ten a breeze springs up, and you have a
good warm breeze for the rest of the day until six, when it dies
away.

Regarding the features of the natives, they are much the same
over the whole continent, the only important difference being in
the amount of hair on the face. As they grow up their whole
appearance changes. In the Arunta tribe as a boy approaches
manhood he puts his hair up, and the binding is so closely tied
that it must be very painful, the skin being drawn up off the
forehead. In certain tribes, as the natives get older, they pull the
hair out, not being allowed to cut it.

The girls and women change in their appearance very much
more than the men, but it is very difficult to obtain a good
photograph of the children, as they become so very solemn when
being photographed, although very jolly at other times. The
women cut their hair off, and must present it to certain persons.
As they become older they get more ugly-looking. It has been
stated that the women are brutally treated by the men, but this is
not the case. They are certainly marked with scars, which is due
to the fact that when a relative dies they cut their bodies to show
their grief.

In the Warramunga tribe when a woman's husband dies she
cuts her head open with a tomahawk, and sears the wound with
a red-hot fire stick. In the southern parts the women, and some-
times the men, have pipeclay thickly smeared over their heads to
indicate mourning. Many of the men bear marks on the thighs,
self-inflicted, as signs of mourning.

The method of fighting — i.e., single combat — is very curious.
They take it in turn to hit or cut at one another until the old men
consider they have had enough, and when once a fight is over
they are perfectly friendly with each other.

They have a great idea of enjoying themselves as much as
possible, and lying about seems to be the acme of enjoyment.
Sometimes you will find them grinding down grass seed, out of
which they make dampers. The seeds are placed on a large,
fiat stone, and pounded and crushed with a smaller one held in
the right hand. Water is poured on, so as to form a dark, gritty
paste, which is then baked in ashes. Making string out of fur,
hair, or the bark of trees is a favourite occupation. The bark is
torn into strips, and then rolled by hand on the thigh. They

82 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

make much use of stone weapons, and the preparation of these
takes up considerable time. A suitable piece of stone, such as
diorite, is obtained, and chipped away by a piece of quartzite,
then finally it is ground smooth on an ordinary grinding stone,
fine sand and water being sprinkled on the stone during the
process.

The natives are very fond of paying visits to friends, though
very often the visits end up in fights, but these are generally more
rowdy than dangerous.

The greater part of the native's life is devoted to holding cere-
monies. Great preparations are made for the corrobborees, which
sometimes occupy the evenings of a fortnight or longer. Helmets
are made out of twigs, tied on to the head with human-hair
string. Grass-seed down is then fixed on with human blood,
drawn from the body by cutting a vein with a sharp stone or
piece of glass.

Knocking out one or two of the upper incisor teeth is a
common practice, and is done by means of a pointed stick and
stone, one blow being often sufficient for the operation. In the
Warramunga tribe they go into the water before the operation, the
object being to numb the gums so that the pain may not be so
great.

Finally, there are the sacred ceremonies, which are not allowed
to be seen by the woman and children ; should they see them,
they are likely to be blinded or killed. During these sacred
ceremonies the persons taking part are not allowed to be seen by
the uninitiated. The decorations used during some of the cere-
monies are very elaborate. Thus, men are decorated to repre-
sent an emu or a wild cat, or a design will be constructed on the
ground, such as a wavy line, indicating an old ancestor who was
a snake-man.

The illness of a blackfellow is attributed to some external
cause ; thus, in one case the medicine-men decided that a man
was suffering from the bone of a dead blackfellow, which had
gone inside him, as well as the gnarled knot of an old gum-tree.
They said they got the bone out and the knot as far down as the
stomach, when they tied a string tightly round to keep it from
gettmg back, but without avail. The man died, and his body
was at once carried off and placed on a platform in a gum-tree,
where it would remain for a year, the widow and other relatives
cutting tliemselves and wailing.

At the end of a year three men go to the tree and rake
the bones out into a bark dish. They then smash the skull, and
bury all, except one arm-bone, in an ant-hill. The arm-bone is
brought into the camp and handed to an old woman. Finally,
after the conclusion of a special ceremony, the women are sum-
moned to the ceremonial ground, and bring the bone with them

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 83

in a paper-bark covering ornamented with yellow ochre and black.
The bone is then taken from the women and broken with a stone
axe and buried in the ground.

The late Mr. H. P. C. Ashv/orth. — Mr Ashworth, whose
death, at the age of thirty-two, was briefly recorded in the last
Naturalist, was a close and enthusiastic observer in several
departments of natural science, and was ever ready to lend his
aid in the furtherance of nature work. He filled the position of
hon. secretary of the Field Naturalists' Club from January, 1894,
to May, 1896, when, owing to failing health, he had to refuse
re-election. In November, 1894, he accompanied Mr. D.
Le Souef on a visit to the Hunter Group and Albatross Island,
off the north-west coast of Tasmania, where they made several
interesting observations on the bird life of the islands, which were
embodied in a paper published in the Naturalist, vol. xi., p. 134.
This was ihustrated by a plate from a photograph by Mr.
Ashworth. He again showed his powers of close observation in
an interesting paper, " On the Dispersal of the Mistletoe," Vict.
Nat., xii., p. 51, in which he described the habits of the little
Swallow Dicaeum, or Mistletoe-bird, Dlcceum hirundinaceutn.
In October, 1895, he repeated his visit to Albatross Island, this
time in company with Mr. J. Gabriel, an account of his trip
appearing in the Naturalist, xiii., p. 3, illustrated by a plate from
a photograph of the Shy Albatross and nest from Mr. Ashworth's
camera. This visit led to an exhaustive paper on a difficult
subject — "The Flight of the Albatross" — Vict. Nat, xiii., p. 11,
in which he referred to the various theories as to the flight of
birds, and offered the opinion that too little consideration had
been given to the power of the birds to take advantage of the
various inequalities in the wind to gain in velocity relatively to
the surrounding air. Besides being a good naturalist, he took a
leading position in his professional work in the Victorian
Railways Department, and, jointly with a fellow-officer, secured
the first prize for the design of the Central Railway Station, now
being erected at Flinders-street. After he was unable to follow
active work, in conjunction with his brother, Mr. T. R. Ashworth,
M.L.A., he brought out a work on "Proportional Representation,"
which has been favourably criticised in political circles. Mr.
Ashworth was of a very genial disposition, and many members of
the Club regretted that, owing to the short notice of his death,
they were unable to follow his remains to their last resting-place
in the Boroondara Cemetery, at Kevv, on Thursday, 20th August.

A Granite Monolith. — A huge block of granite, measuring
120 feet in length, 45 feet in width, and 18 feet in depth,
estimated to weigh about 6,000 tons, was recently shifted from
its bed at the Harcourt quarries, near Castlemaine, by a single
charge of 25 lbs. of powder.

84 THE VICTORIAN NATUHALIRT.

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE TREE-LINE IN THE AUSTRALIAN ALPS.

To the Editor of the Victorian Naturalist.

Sir, —Mr. G. Weindorfer's paper, " Some Comparison of the
Alpine Flora of Australia and Europe," in the September
Naturalist, is very interesting, and full of points for discussion.
At page 65 he states that I do not explain the basis adopted by
me for the statement that " the height of the tree-line is fairly
constant (about 6,500 feet) " on Mount Kosciusko.

The trees forming the tree-line are Eucalyptus coriacea (pauci-
floraj. They are abundant on the Monaro plains, and can be
traced all up Mt. Kosciusko, gradually diminishing in height until
(at the height above sea-level stated) they abruptly cease, forming
a narrow strip of mallee-like growth about twenty feet high. This
growth fringes the edge of the escarpment, and extends for a
considerable distance at the same level. There is no abrupt
transition in the tree-growth, and it is proper, in my opinion, to
use the term " tree-line " in the sense in which I have used it.

I agree with Mr. Weindorfer that the tree-line is much lower
on the Victorian side — probably this is accounted for by the
southern aspect.

With reference to the snow-fall, referred to at page 66, deep
snow-drifts are eternal on the highest parts of Mt. Kosciusko.
Snow may fall any day in the year. I have been snowed up for
three days in January, and have seen the remains of some
thousands of sheep that perished in a blizzard on 26th January,
a few years ago.

I notice at page 64 that Mr. F. Reader, in exhibiting Pheros-
phcera fitzgeraldi, says that it has been found at the Katoomba
and Leura Falls (quite close to each other) only. I beg to say
that it is far from rare at the Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains. —
Yours truly,

J. H. MAIDEN,
2%th September, 1903. Director Botanic Gardens, Sydney.

" Red Rain." — Those interested in the nature of " red-rain "
sediments will find a valuable contribution to the subject by
Prof. A. Liversidge, LL.D., F.R.S., in the Jcurn. and Proc. R. S.
N.S.W., vol. xxxvi., 1902, pp. 241-285. We are indebted to
Mr. G. S. Walpole for kindly calling our attention to the paper,
which was unfortunately omitted from our article on the subject
in the June number of this journal. — F. Chapman and H. J.
Grayson.

Cbe Utctorian naturalisi

Vol. XX.— No. 7. NOVEMBER 5, 1903. No. 239.

FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in the Royal
Society's Hall on Monday evening, i2th October, 1903.

The president, Mr. O. A. Sayce, occupied the chair, and about
fifty members and visitors were present.

CORRESPONDENCE.

The hon. secretary read a letter from the Secretary of the Shire
of Rutherglen, in reply to a communication from the Club
drawing their attention to the destruction of game on Lake
Moodemere. The Shire Secretary stated that his Council had
done, and was continuing to do, everything in its power to
prevent the destruction of game on the lake. In pointing out the
difficulty the Council has had in carrying out its intentions with
regard to the reserve, he explained that when the reserve was
applied for some years ago the Government refused to adopt the
suggestion of the Council that all shooting should be absolutely
prohibited within the area in question, and stated that had this
suggestion been acted upon convictions could easily have been
secured, whereas, under existing conditions, they are all but an
impossibility. He thought that, with the facts before it, the Club
might be able to suggest some way out of the difficulty.

A letter was also read from the Secretary of Public Works
regarding the same matter, which stated, in consequence of a
communication received from the Club, that the inspector under
the Fisheries and Game Acts had recently spent four days on and
about the lake, and failed to find any justification for the reports
mentioned. The inspector stated, in fact, that there is little or no
game at the lake to destroy, as though on the lake before daylight
and till after dark he never saw more than twenty ducks.

In the discussion which followed, the action of the Rutherglen
Shire Council was favourably commented upon, and it was urged
that the Club should support the Council in its endeavours to
protect the game on the reserve.

Mr. F. Pitcher moved, and Mr. F. Baker seconded — " That
the matter be left in the hands of the committee, to take such
action as it thought necessary."

Messrs. G. Coghill, G. A. Keartland, and the secretary also
took part in the discussion.

REPORTS.

Mr. F. G. A. Barnard reported a good attendance of members
in response to Dr. G. Home's invitation to visit his aviary of

86 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

Australian and other birds on Saturday, 19th September, when an
interesting afternoon was spent.

Mr. G. Weindorfer read a lengthy report on the botanical
portion of the Club's excursion to Sandringham on Saturday,
26th September.

Mr. W. Stickland, in reporting on the pond life portion of
the same excursion, stated that only the usual forms common to
the district were met with.

Messrs. G. Coghill and G. A. Keartland reported a good
attendance on the excursion to Mitcham on Saturday, loth
October, and mentioned some of the more important species
met with both in botany and ornithology.

The hon. librarian reported the receipt of the following
donations to the library : — -Journal of Agriculture of Victoria,
vol. ii., No. 3, from Department of Agriculture, Melbourne ;
" Memoirs of Geological Survey of Victoria, No. 2 : Castlemaine
Goldfield," and " Annual Report for 1902," from Department of
Mines, Melbourne ; Agricultural Gazette 0/ Nev:) South Wales,
vol. xiv., parts 8 and 9, August and September, 1903, from the
Department of Agriculture, Sydney ; " Sydney Botanic Gardens :
Biographical Notes of Officers," vi., vii., and viii., by J. H.
Maiden, F.L.S., Director, from the author; "Catalogue of Nests
and Eggs of Australian Birds," part 3, and " Records of Aus-
tralian Museum," vol. iv.. No. 8, from the Trustees Australian
Museum, Sydney ; " Proceedings Royal Society of Victoria," vol.
xvi., part i, 1903, from the society; "Journal and Proceedings
Royal Society of New South Wales," vol. xxxvi., 1902, from the
society ; " Proceedings Linnean Society of New South Wales,"
vol. xxviii., part 2, from the society ; " Transactions of New
Zealand Institute," vol. XXXV., 1902, from the institute; Nature
Notes, August and September, 1903, from Selborne Society,
London; Knowledge, August and September, 1903, from the
proprietors ; " Proceedings Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila-
delphia," vol. liv., from the Academy ; " Transactions Nova
Scotian Institute of Science," vol. x., from the institute ; and
publications from Field Columbian Museum, Chicago.

ELECTIONS.

On a ballot being taken, Messrs. Wm. Somerville, 16 Bellevue-
street, Richmond; Ernest E. Barker, F.R.M.S., Wyuna, Park-
street, South Yarra ; and Master Joseph Hilton Tuckett, Neerim-
road, Murrumbeena, were duly elected members of the Club.

GENERAL BUSINESS.

The president announced that, in view of the many and valuable
services rendered to the Club by Mr. J. Searle in placing his

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. S7

lantern and services at the disposal of the Club free of cost, the
committee had appointed him honorary lanternist.

PAPERS READ.

I. By Mr. A. E. Kitson, F.G.S., entitled " On the Occurrence
of Older Cainozoic Marine Fossils near Hexham, Western
Victoria."

The author recorded the occurrence of marine fossils near
Hexham, and pointed out the geological features of the district.
The fossils were discovered in a bed of clay, when boring for
water, at a depth of 56 feet from the surface. Few entire shells
were found, but from the fragments obtained upwards of twenty
species were identified, and the deposit is closely related to the
well-known beds at Mornington, Port Phillip, and Muddy Creek,
Hamilton.

NATURAL HISTORY NOTES.

>Mr. T. S. Hart, M.A., contributed a note on some specimens
of a Pimelea collected at Canadian, 3 miles S.E. of Ballarat
which he forwarded for exhibition.

Mr. G. Lyell, jun., forwarded a note on the time of appearance
of the butterfly Una agricola, concerning which some discussion
had taken place at the August meeting of the Club.

Mr. A. D. Hardy called attention to the fact that some of the
leaves on an Oriental Plane tree in Collins-street, Melbourne,
which were in close proximity to an electric light, had remained
on the tree all the winter, and were still green.

Mr. F, G. A. Barnard read a letter from Mr. Robt. Hall, dated
Mouth of the Lena River, Siberia, 15th July last, in which he
mentioned some of the more interesting features which attract the
attention of an Australian in those regions.

EXHIBITS.

The evening was specially set apart for exhibits of wild flowers,
but owing to the great heat of the weather on the two previous
days, the display suftered to some extent.

The principal exhibits were : —

By Miss S. W. L. Cochrane, about 35 species collected at
Beaumaris and Gembrook, including Bauera rubioides, Grevillea
alpina, G. rosmarini/olia, Thelymitra ejnpactoides, 2\ ixioides,
T. aristata, and Calycothrix tetragona and Swainsona 2)rocumbens
from Stawell.

By Mr. G. Coghill. — Over 100 species from Point Lonsdale,
Tunstall, Emerald, &c., including Tetratheca ciliata (white),
Correa wmula, Sphcerolobium vimineum, Swainsona lesserti/olia,
Calochilus robertsoni, Prasophyllum j^cttens, Caladenia suaveolens,
C. tnenziesii, Pterostjlis barbata, &:c.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

By Mrs. Galsworthy. — About 20 species from Beaconsfield'

including Dillwynia Jloribunda, Diplarrhena morcca, &c.

By Mr. T. S. Hart, M.A. — Specimens of a Pimelea from
Canadian, near Ballarat.

By Mr. J. T. Paul. — About 50 species from Grantville, Western
Port, including Goodia lotifolia, Styphelia lanceolata, Epacris
obtusifolia, Caiadenia cairnsiana, C. menziesii, &c.

By Mr. VV. Scott. — Boronia serrulata and B. pinnaiifida, from
Sydney.

By Mr. A. O. Thiele. — About 20 species from Castlernaine,
including Grevillea alpina, G. rosmarinijolia^ Eriostemon obovalis,
Brachyloma daphnoides, Fterostylis nutans, &c.

By Mr. J. West. — About 25 species from Phillip Island, in-
cluding Caiadenia patersoni (very fine). Clematis aristata, Caia-
denia carnea, var., &c.

By Mr, H. B. Williamson. — 7 species grown in the Hawkesdale
State school garden, viz. : — Lhotzkya genelylloides, Tliryptomene
mitchelliana, Stypandra glauca, Grevillea aquifolivm, G. oleoides,
and Pimelea lini/olia, transplanted from the Grampians, and
Goodia lotifolia, grown from seed.

By Mr. F. Reader. — Dried specimens of Erodium cygnorum,
with pinkish-violet flowers, and Tunica j^rolijera, L., a naturalized
plant new for Victoria.

After an extended inspection of the wild flowers, the meeting
terminated.

VISIT TO DR. HORNE'S AVIARIES.

At the invitation of Dr. G. Home, about twenty-five members of
the Club met at his residence, Queen's-parade, Clifton Hill, on
Saturday, 19th September, in order to inspect his collection of
live birds, which in some respects is quite unique. The afternoon,
unfortunately, was cold and windy, and the birds, being m
aviaries out of doors, were consequently not seen at their best.
Great delight was expressed at the tameness and sociability of
such birds as the Spine-billed Honey-eater, Acanthorhynchus
tenuirosiris, and the White-eye, Zosterops coeridescens.

Among the other honey-eaters flying about in perfect freedom,
and apparently in the best of health, were the Sanguineous,
Myzomela sanguinoleiita; YeWovf-idiCtd, Ptilotis chrysops; Yellow-
tufted, P. anricomis ; White-plumed, P. penicillata \ White-eared,
P.leucotis; Ynscon?,, P.fusca ; Yellow-plumed, P. ornata ; Warty-
faced, Meliphaga phrygia ; and White-bearded, Meliornis 7iovce-
hollandice ; also the White-browed Scrub-Wren, Sericornis
Jrontalis ; Yellow-breasted Shrike-Robin, Eopsaltria australis ;
Blue Wren, Malurus cyaneus ; and Ground-Lark, Anthua
australis.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 89

Many of these birds are usually regarded as very shy, and quite
impossible to keep in captivity ; but Dr. Home and his niece,
Miss Bowie, by studying their habits, &c., have managed to gain
their confidence to such an extent that they will take from the
hand the flies or other tit-bits provided. On entering the
aviaries it was interesting to see how soon the birds recognized
their mistress, and even answered to pet names. The collection
of finches is very extensive, and includes specimens of the
following Australian species : — The Fire-tailed, Zoncnginthus
bellus ; Red-browed, uEgi7dha temporalis ; Painted, Emblema
picta ; Gouldian, Foephila go%ddim ; Banded, Stictoj)tera bich-
enovii ; Black-ringed, -S. annulosa ; Chestnut-breasted, Munia
castaneithorax ; Plum-headed, Aidemosyne modesta ; Long-tailed,
Poephila acuticauda ; Black-throated, P. cincta ; Masked, F.
personata; Scarlet-headed, P. mirahilis ; Crimson, Neochmia
phaeton ; and the Red-faced, Bathilda ruficauda, besides a
number of handsome species from foreign countries. Besides the
Chestnut-bellied (King) Quail, Excalfactoria australis, which does
exceedingly well in the aviary, and a clutch of whose eggs was
being reared in an incubator, there were specimens of the Brown
Quail, Syncecus australis, and the Stubble Quail, Cotur7iix
pectoralis. Pigeons were represented by the Partridge (Squatter)
Pigeon, Geophaps scrlpta, and the Crested, Ocyphaps lophoies.
A large number of small foreign birds were quite at home,
such as the Weaver-birds of Africa and India, the Paradise
Whydah, the Napoleon Whydah, &c. In one aviary the contrast
between our familiar Blue Wren and the brilliant orange-red of
the Orange Bishop-bird of South Africa was very striking.

Among the larger birds fine specmiens of the Golden, Amherst,
Reeves's, and Svvinhoe's Pheasants were greatly admired. Two
hours quickly passed, and after partaking of the hospitality of
Dr. and Mrs. Home, the party separated, well pleased with the
interesting afternoon. — F. G. A. Barnard.

ADDITIONS TO THE LIST OF VICTORIAN MARINE
MOLLUSCA.

By J. H. Gatliff.
{Read be/ore the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, lOth August, 1903.
Some years ago I contributed to the Naturalist a list of the
Victorian marine moUusca which included some 350 species.
In this list, which will be found in vol. iv. (1887), p. 57, and vol.
v. (1888), p. Ill, an attempt was made to reduce the number of
synonyms, which had always proved a great hindrance to the
study of Australian mollusca. Since that time fresh observations
have been made, and additional species recorded, so that the

90 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

list became almost obsolete, consequently in 1897 Mr. G. B.
Pritchard and myself undertook the preparation of a complete
catalogue of the Victorian marine mollusca, with full synonomy
and notes. This has been published from time to time in the
" Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria," the sixth part^
completing it to the end of the Gastropods and enumerating 531
species, having been published in February last ; but even durmg
the publication of the new catalogue additional species have been
found and described. These will be dealt wilh later on in a
similar manner to those already catalogued, giving references,
habitat, observations, &c., but in the meantime h has been
thought desirable to publish the names of the additional
species, amounting to 41 in all. These, which include several
types, I am exhibiting to-night, but special attention might be
called to the following as being particularly noteworthy : —

Truncaria australix, Angas. — Described in 1877, found in
New South Wales. So far I have only obtained three specimens.

Mitra pellucidn, Tate. — This is a very small white shell, from
4 to 8 millimetres in length, and is, as its name denotes,
pellucid.

Columhella Jilosa, Angas. — This was described in 1867, having
been dredged in Port Jackson ; it is an interesting form, being
spirally lirate. The specimens exhibited were dredged in Western
Port. I had some others and placed them with larger shells on
the roof of an outbuilding to become deodorised. 1 noticed that
the sparrows often hopped about these shells, and when I brought
them in found that the small ones had disappeared, and could
only conclude that the birds had devoured them.

Donovania Jenestrata, Tate and May. — This is the first record
of the genus having been found here, and the species is one
recently described. The type was obtained on the east coast of
Tasmania.

Co7ius apbtst7-e, Reeve. — This species makes the fourth in the
genus that has been found on our shores ; it was described in
1843, and is recorded as occurring in New South Wales, New
Zealand, and Cape of Good Hope. The shell is somewhat solid,
usually about i inch in length, and may be readily distinguished
from our other species by its broader form and encircling dotted
lines of colouration.

1 have been enabled to add the four additional sj)ecies of
Triforis through the kindness of Mr. Chas. Hedley, Conchologist,
Australian Museum, Sydney, who has been studying the New
South Wales representatives of the genus. Having published his
results in the " Proceedings Linnean Society N.S.W.," part iv.,
for 1902, he was good enough to send me examples of some of
the species for comparison, and I was thus enabled to identify
four more as species found in Victorian waters.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

Truncaria australis, Angas
Mitra pellucida, Tate
Marginella strangei, Angas
Marginella whani, Pritchard

and Gatliff'
Marginella pisum, Reeve
Marginella tridentata, I'ate
Marginella cymbalum, Tate
Columbella filosa, Angas
Terebra inconspicua, Pritchard

and Gatliff"
Terebra fictilis, Hinds
Conus aplustre, Reeve
Natica tenisoni, Tate
Donovania fenestrata, Tate and

May
Daphnella crebriplicata, Reeve
Daphnella mimica, Sowerby
Daphnella mimica, Sowerby,

var. fusca
Mangilia incerta, Pritchard and

Gatliff
Mangilia st. gallge, T. Woods
Crepidula aculeata, Gmelin
Vermetus caperatus, Tate and

May

Scala (Acrilla) minutula, Tate

and May
Crossea cancellata, T. Woods
Fulima infiata, Tate and May
Turbonilla (Ondina) harrisoni,

Tate a7id May
Odostomia deplexa, 2'ate and

May
Odostomia suprasculpta, T.

Woods
Oscilla ligata, Angas
Pseudorissoina tasmanica, J\

Woods
Triforis graniferus, Brazier
Triforis labiatus, A. Adams
Triforis cinereus, Hedley
Triforis maculosus, Hedley
Teinostoma cala, Pilsbry
Cyclostrema inscriptum, T'ate
Cyclostreniajohnstoni, ^eo?o?om<?
Rissoa agnewi, T. Woods
Rissoa dubitabilis, 2'ate
Rissoa tumida, T. Woods
Rissoa fiammea, Ihmktr
Rissoa pellucida, Tate and May
Rissoa maccoyi, 2\ Woods.

ON THE OCCURRENCE OF OLDER CAINOZOIC
MARINE FOSSILS NEAR HEXHAM, WESTERN
VICTORIA.

By a. E. Kitson, F.G.S.

{Read hef ore the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 12th October, 1903.)

The Older Cainozoic marine fossiliferous deposits of Victoria are
of wide distribution in the southern portion of the State. They
occur in various places, from the Snowy River on the east, to the
South Australian border on the west, so that it may appear
unnecessary to mention the occurrence of a ^&\v shells from bores
sunk on the Western plains. Still, as every fresh discovery helps
to link together more or less widely separated occurrences, it is of
value, and should be recorded. Noticing, therefore, in the public
press during February last that Mr. R. Hood, of Merrang, near
Hexham, had obtained some fossil shells from material taken out
of bores for water sunk on his estate, I asked him for some of
the fossils, and for particulars regarding the bores. He very

92 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

kindly furnished these, together with a plan of his estate, and the
information thus obtained is embodied in this paper.

Before, however, describing the occurrence, it may not be out
of place to give a brief general outline of the geology of the
surrounding districts.

As early as 1865, the late Mr. C. S. Wilkinson, in a report*
dated 13th March, 1865, referred to the Cape Otway area as one
which " seems to have been, if not an island, an elevated portion
of the sea bottom during the deposition of the Miocene strata."
(These strata have more lately been regarded as Oligocene and
Eocene.)

He was thus of the opinion that between the Otway Jurassic
area and the central watershed of Victoria fossiliferous beds of
this system were hidden from view.

Later on Mr. R. A. F. Murray, F.G.S., speaks f of the Otway
area on the west, and the South Gippsland area on the east, as
having been separated from the mainland by two straits during
Lower Cainozoic times.

This wide belt of country forms the plains of the Western
district of Victoria — that great volcanic stretch, consisting of
numbers of flows of basalt and beds of volcanic ash, among which
numerous old craters, such as Mounts Porndon, Leura, Elephant,
Noorat, Shadwell, Rouse, Napier, Eccles, and Tower Hill, rear
themselves, and form such prominent features in the landscape.
This country has been appropriately referred to by Mr. T. S.
Hall, M.A.,i as the Victorian Puys, from i'.s resemblance to the
well-known Puys of Auvergne, France.

Taking a line running roughly north from the eastern edge of
the Otway Jurassic region at Point Castries, we find it following
approximately the Barwon River, along the middle part of its
course ; thence along the Yarrowee or Leigh River towards
Ballarat to Elaine.

From this line westward to a line running approximately north
from Portland to near Digby this wide expanse of volcanic rock
occurs, with a length of about 140 miles, and a mean width of
about 40 miles.

The area is bounded on the west by the post-Cainozoic
deposits of Normanby, overlying the marine Cainozoics of the
Glenelg valley ; on the north by the Jurassic area of the Wannon,
the Upper Palaeozoic and Older Cainozoic to Recent deposits of
Dundas, the pre-Ordovician and Ordovician rocks of Villiers,
and by the granite, and Ordovician and Recent sediments of

* Report of the Director of the Geol. Sur., Vict., ior period from June, 1S63,
to Sept., 1864, with Appendices, Vict. Pari. Papers, 1864-5.
+ " Geology and Physical Geography of Victoria," Melbourne, 1895, ]). 102.
+ Handbook of the Aust. Assoc, for Advancement of Science, Melbourne
meeting, igoo, p. 29.

tHE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 93

Ripon and Grenville ; on the east it is flanked or underlain by
the amphibolites, diabases, epidiorite, and granodiorite * of
Batesford and Geelong, Ordovician sediments of the Steightz
district, Jurassic sediments of the Barrabool Hills, basalt, of
probably early Eocene age, and Cainozoic sediments of the
Dean's Marsh district, and the Moorabool and Leigh valleys.

This Upper Volcanic area, of probably late Pliocene age, or
perhaps even younger, is not limited on the east by the rock
masses specified, for it extends to the Melbourne district ; and in
the intervening area the Older Cainozoic sediments underlie, as
has been proved by bores and shafts sunk at Newport and Altona,
near Williamstown, and near Laverton and Werribee.

On the south the Otway Jurassic wedge extends to the coast,
forming high, bold cliffs. It is flanked on all sides, though not
continuously, with Cainozoic sediments, probably of the older
series, wliile a great mass of Older Cainozoic sediments extends
along the coast to Warrnambool, narrowing rapidly at the surface
from east to west.

These Cainozoics consist in the main of rather incoherent
quartz sands, under which, in the western portion, lie white and
yellow limestones of friable and fairly compact texture, together
with calcareous clays. These are seen to great advantage in tlie
coastal cliffs from near the mouth of the Gellibrand River to near
Warrnambool, and again in the basin of Curdie's River. The
clays contain a rich fauna, chiefly MoUusca, while the limestones,
though also originally rich, have now only the remains of the
organisms whose shells consist of calcite, those of aragonite
having been dissolved, and casts only left.

Within this volcanic area of the Western district only a few
outcrops of rock other than volcanic occur. The most important
of these is between Lakes Bullenmerri and Gnotuk, near Camper-
down. This is a deposit of limestone and calcareous clay of
Older Cainozoic age, describedt by the late Professor Tate, F.G.S.,
and Mr. J. Dennant, F.G S., F.C.S., and contains a fauna
represented by upwards of loo species.

The locality from which the fossils recorded herein were
obtained is near Hexham, on the Hopkins River, near Muston's
Creek junction. It lies near the N.E. corner of the parish of
Yeth Youang, and the S.E. portion of Hexham West. A small,
narrow strip of Older Cainozoic deposits is marked on the new
geological map of Victoria as extending for about 3 miles
along the Hopkins River, but I am unable to say of what it
consists.

* These rocks have been determined by Professor Gregory, D.Sc, F.R.S.,
see "The Heathcotian — a Pre-Ordovician Series, and its Distribution in Vic-
toria." (Proc. Roy. Soc. Vic, vol. xv. (N.S.), part ii.,1903, pp. 165, 166.)

+ " Correlation of the Marine Tertiaries of Australia," part i. (Trans.
Roy. Soc. S. Aus., 1893.

94 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

Bore No. i is in Yeth Youang, about Y2 mile S. of Muston's
Creek, and between it and the Hopkins River, distant from the
latter about i mile. Bores 2 and 3 are in Hexham West, the
former about 3 miles N.N.E. from bore i, and the latter a little
over I mile N. from bore 2.

Bore No. i was sunk in a depression close to a basalt ridge.
To the west and south of it basalt is distant about ^ mile. This
bore reached a total depth of 68 feet, through clay and stone,
probably limestone. Good water was struck, but no shells were
observed.

Bore No. 2 is on the south-eastern side of a ridge of basalt. It
passed through, in descending order, 6 feet clay, 23 feet basalt,
123^ feet clay, 333^ feet drift sand, to a total depth of 75 feet,
when it had to be abandoned, as sand prevented the casing from
being forced down. No Mollusca were found in this bore, but
Foraminifera and Bryozoa occur in the fine argillaceous and
slightly calcareous sand from the lower portion. Possibly fossil-
iferous clays are present beneath the sand. Brackish water was
met with in this bore.

Bore No. 3, the most northerly one, was sunk on the opposite
side of this ridge of basalt, and in an area not covered with
basalt. This area extends westwards for some 3 miles, where in
a creek a good deal of limestone may be seen. Similar limestone
was also found in some drains near the bore, but whether or not
it is fossiliferous is not stated by Mr. Hood. Good water was
struck in this bore, which passed through a succession of clay
and stone to a depth of 63 ^ feet. This stone is probably lime-
stone, since pieces of such rock show as nodules among the
material.

The fossils now recorded were found in a bed of clay, 4)^
feet thick, at a depth of 56 feet. As might be expected from a
water bore, much of the shell material occurs as fragments, but a
few small shells occur entire. They include upwards of 20
species, which have the same facies as those of Mornington and
Altona on the east, and the lower beds at Muddy Creek, near
Hamilton, on the west. The general appearance of the material
also greatly resembles that of the localities quoted, and the new
beds probably belong to the same horizon as they do.

This occurrence of Older Cainozoic fossils near Hexham, and
already known marine fossiliferous beds, especially those at Dean's
Marsh, Birregurra, Camperdown, and Pilfield, leave little reason
for doubting a former continuous connection between the Older
Cainozoic deposits of the Geelong and Mornington districts and
the Moorabool and Leigh valleys on the east, and those of
Muddy Creek on the west.

Moreover, since the fossils found indicate clearly an Oligocene
or Eocene period for the containing deposits, it seems probable

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

that deposits of the Miocene period, if they occur there at all, do
so as isolated patches, as at Shelford in the Leigh Valley (upper
beds), and at Muddy Creek (upper beds), and not as a wide-
spread sheet, as is the case with the Older Cainozoics.

The appended list shows the fossils obtained from these
Hexham bores : —

SCAPHOPODA.

Dentalium mantelli, Zittel
D. subfissura, Tate
D. aratum, Tate.

Gasteropoda,

BuUinella phanerospira, Coss-

mann
Pleurotoma murndaliana, T.

Woods
P. trilirata, Harris
Surcula clarse, T. Woods
Buchozia hemiothone, T.Woods
Mitromorpha daphnelloides, T.

Woods
Ancilla pseudaustraUs, Tate
Marginella cassidiformis, Tate
M. (n. sp.)

Nassa tatei, T. Woods
Columbella gracilirata, T.

Woods
Cerithium apheles, T. Woods
Turritella tristira, Tate (prob.)
Mathilda transenna, T. Woods
Solarium acutum, T. Woods
Natica hamiltonensis, Tate
Niso psila, T. Woods.

In addition to the foregoing, there are fragments of several
other genera.

The lists of fossils, and descriptions of the containing deposits,
of the Cainozoic period in the districts herein referred to can be
obtained from the papers by the late Professors M'Coy and Tate,
and Messrs. Dennant, Hall, Pritchard, Grant, Thiele, and myself,
in the "Proceedings" and "Transactions" of the Royal Societies
of Victoria and South Australia, and the publications of the
Geological Survey of Victoria.

I am greatly indebted to Mr. Hood, of Merrang, for his
kindness in sending me information about and material from
these bores ; also to Mr. J. Dennant, F.G.S., F.C.S., for the
identification of the unfamiliar fossils in the list.

Lamellibranchiata.

Amussium zitteli, Hutton
Barbatia crustata, Tate
Limopsis forskali, Adams.

ACTINOZOA.

Flabellum garabierense, Duncan
Trematotrochus declivis, Den-
nant, prob. (juv.)

OtoHth

Echinoid spine
Foraminifera spp.
Bryozoa spp.

Australian Rhopalocera. — Mr, John W. Moore, " Cal-
bourne," Vicarage-road, King's Heath, Birmingham, England,
wishes to obtain specimens of Australian Rhopalocera (in papers)
for purposes of study, and is anxious to correspond with collectors
willing to sell or exchange.

96 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

PiMELEA SPATHULATA, Lab. — SoiTie Specimens of a Pimelea,
collected recently at Canadian, near Ballarat, seem to differ from
the normal form of P. spathiUata, and particulars may be of
interest. The white specimens differ in robustness of growth,
and though the relative hairiness of the calyx is used in the
" Key " to separate P. spathulata from P. collina and P. lini/olia,
their characters as a whole seem to refer them all to P. spathulata.
In the slenderer form there is a tendency to an increased number
of bracts, or a transition from the ordinary form of leaves to that
of the involucral bracts with the highest leaves closely appressed
to the bracts. This is also seen in the pink specimen. The
pink-flowered specimens seem almost without stamens, but traces
of imperfectly developed stamens can be found. — Thomas S.
Hart, School of Mines, Ballarat. loth October, 1903.

The Butterfly Una agricola. — I notice that at the August
meeting of the Club there was some little discussion as to the
dates of appearance of the small blue butterfly, U'7ia agricola. As
Mr. Waterhouse consulted me on this point before the publication
of his " Revision," it is but right I sliould have something to say
on the subject. In Sydney I have found this species occur very
abundantly in October and November, but although I have
collected there for several years in March and April, I have never
come across it at that time of the year. This experience agrees
with that of Mr. Waterhouse — who has searched carefully for it
in the autumn in the same localities where he has captured
hundreds of specimens in the spring — and leads us to conclude
that, so far as Sydney is concerned, there is certainly no autumn
brood. I have taken U. agricola at Gisborne in November and
December, and at Oakleigh in November. It has been sent me
from Wandin (Nov.), Longford (30th Dec.) and Hobart,
Tasmania (Dec.) I have eighteen Victorian specimens in my
collection, each with its date label attached, and the latest is
30th December. I regard Mr. Kershaw's record of 30th
January as a late specimen of an especially late season, and until
specimens with autumn date labels attached are forthcoming I
think we may safely conclude that U. agricola is single-brooded
in Victoria as well as in New South Wales. The opportunity
should not be lost of impressing upon young collectors the
immense importance of attaching locality and date labels to each
insect at time of capture. Only so can one be certain of his
facts — if he trusts to memory he is sure to be sometimes misled ;
and moreover the value of a properly labelled collection is increased
fourfold. This discussion will, I hope, lead to careful watch
being kept in the field this season for the first and last appearance
of the butterfly in question. — Geo. Lyell. Gisborne, 29th
September, 1903.

Cbe Uictorian naturalist

Vol. XX.— No. 8. DECEMBER 10, 1903. No. 240.

FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in the Royal
Society's Hall on Monday evening, i6th November, 1903.

The president, Mr. O. A. Sayce, occupied the chair, and over
100 members and visitors were present.

REPORTS.

Mr. H. T. Tisdall reported that, owing to the very wet weather,
only three members attended the Club excursion to Emerald on
Saturday, 24th October, and little collecting could be done.
Fifty-two species of plants were, however, noted.

Mr. D. Best read a report on the excursion to Wandong on
Cup Day, Tuesday, 3rd November, when six members attended.
The excursionists were favoured with exceptionally fine weather,
and, considering the district is not a good one for general collect-
ing, a fair number of specimens were noted, particularly in
Coleoptera. Some good micro-fungi were collected, which, on
being handed over to Mr. M 'Alpine for examination, were found
to include several new species. A number of specimens of
Silurian fossils were also collected during the day.

A lengthy report on the excursion to Launching Place, which
extended from the 7th to 9th November, was read by Mr. A. D.
Hardy, who, with Mr. J. A. Kershaw, acted as leader. The
party numbered 14 altogether, including two lady members.
Saturday afternoon was spent working the flat country along the
course of the river Yarra, and in the vicinity of Launching Place.
On the following day a trip was taken to Malleson's Glen, on the
Don River, while Monday was devoted to a visit to Britannia
Creek. The general results of this excursion were regarded as
very satisfactory, particularly as regards botany. Mr. Kershaw
gave a report on the zoological results of the trip, while Mr. F.
Chapman furnished a note on the geology. The members of the
party were all delighted with the district for general field work,
and returned to town well satisfied with the results accomplished.

The hon. librarian reported the receipt of the following
donations to the library : — " Bulletin Geological Society of
Victoria," Nos. 2 and 8, from the Society ; The Emu, vol. iii.,
part 2, October, 1903, from the Australasian Ornithologists'
Union ; " Memoirs of the New South Wales Naturalists' Club,
No. I : a Catalogue of the Rhopalocera of Australia," by G. A.
Waterhouse, F.E.S., from the Club ; Agricultural Gazette of

98 TMK VIC'IORIAN NATUKALIST.

New South Wales, vol. xiv., part lo, October, 1903, from the
Department of Agriculture, Sydney ; " Proceedings Academy of
Sciences, Philadelphia," vol. Iv., part i, from the Academy ;
" Proceedings Boston Society of Natural History," vol. xxx., parts
3 and 7, vol. xxxi., part i, from the Society ; Knowledge, October,
1903, from the proprietors.

ELECTION OF MEMBERS.

On a ballot being taken, Messrs. Donald Macdonald, Mel-
bourne, and J. Newell, jun., Fitzroy-street, Fitzroy, were duly
elected members of the Club.

GENERAL BUSINESS.

Mr. G. A. Keartland mentioned that a meeting was to be held
on Wednesday, i8th November, in Melbourne to form a society
to be called the Field Trial Game Protection Society, to which
persons interested were invited. He suggested that a representa-
tive from this Club be appointed to attend to ascertain whether
the Club might co-operate with the new society, or whether it
might be necessary to take steps to uphold the action of the Club
in connection with the Game Act.

On the motion of Messrs. J. A. Kershaw and F. G. A.
Barnard, Messrs. G. A. Keartland and D. Le Souef were
appointed to attend the meeting as representatives of the Club.

PAPERS READ.

I. By Mr. E. E. Barker, F.R.M.S., entitled "The Bull-ants of
Victoria."

The author, by way of an introduction to his paper, gave an
outline of his work in establishing an insect-house in connection
with the Aquarium at the Exhibition Building, Melbourne, and
briefly explained the construction of several ants' nests planned
in such a manner that the insects could be seen at work and their
habits studied. It is also the intention of the Exhibition Trustees
to exhibit various other living insects, as well as the larvae of such
of our local Lepidoptera, &c., as can be obtained. It was ex-
plained, however, that it is the intention of the Trustees to
confine themselves to the exhibition of only living specimens of
insects. The author then gave some interesting details concern-
ing the habits of two of the common species of ants found near
Melbourne.

Messrs. F. G. A. Barnard, J. A. Kershaw, and the President
spoke to the paper, and congratulated the author on his work.

2. By Mr. A. J. Campbell, entitled "Trips to Phillip Island."

Mr. Campbell gave a very interesting account of some trips to
this locality, dealing particularly with visits to the Mutton-bird
rookeries. A particularly fine series of lantern views, showing

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 99

various parts of the island and the rookeries, added considerably
to the interest of the paper.

The President congratulated Mr. Campbell on his highly
interesting paper, and regretted that owing to the lateness of the
hour it would be necessary to withhold any discussion, and said
for the same reason Mr, G. A. Keartland's paper would have to
be postponed.

EXHIBITS.

By Mr. F, G. A. Barnard. — Abnormal flower of Foxglove —
photograph, drawing, and preserved flower.

By Mr. C. L. Barrett. — Nest and eggs of Coachwhip-bird,
Fsophodes crepitans.

By Mr. R. A. Bastow. — Specimens of Daldhiia concentrica,
Boll., and Stereum versicolor, Fr.

By Mr. A. G. Campbell. — Specimen of Tree Orchid, Sarco-
chilus parvijlorus, from Dandenong Ranges.

By Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S. — Photographs taken in the ranges
near Launching Place. Rock specimens : From Don River —
Granulitic Diorite, Mica Diorite, and Dacite ; also Titaniferous
Iron-sand. From near Britannia Creek — Granodiorite. Also
rock sections in illustration of the above.

By Mr. P. C. Cole. — Large stone wedge used by the aborigines
for splitting logs, &c., from Willandra, N.S.W.

By Mr. D. M'Alpine. — Polyportis mylittce, C. and M., fructifi-
cation of Native Bread, collected by Miss K. Cowle.

By Mr. E. B. NichoUs. — Nest and egg of Rufous-breasted
Thickhead.

by Mr. F. M. Reader. — Dried specimens of plants collected in
the Wimmera — Chara australis, Brown, var. crassi/olia, Al.
Braun; C./ragilis, Desv. ; C. muelleri, A\. Br. ; C. preissii,A\. Br.;
C. scoparia, Bauer, var. muelleri, Al. Br. ; Nitella diffusa, Al. Br. ;
N. gelatinosa, Al. Br. ; JV. glochostachys, Al. Br. ; N. Ihotzkyi,
Al. Br. ; N. myriotricha, Kuetz ; and the alga, Lychnothamnus
macropogon, Al. Br.

By Mr. C. Walter. — Record of a new locality for Oxylohium
alpestre, Upper Yarra, Vic, south, recorded previously from the
north-east of Victoria only. Collected by Messrs. D. Best and
C. Walter, October, 1903.

After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated.

Change of Name for New Genus of Polyzoa. — The name,
Solenopora, that I gave to a new genus of fossil Polyzoa, described
by me in the " Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria,"
vol. xvi., part i, page 143, is, I find, pre-occupied ; I therefore
substitute for it the name Aulopocella. There is only one species,
Aulopocella tubuli/era. — C. M. Maplestone.

100 TlIK VICTORIAN NATITUALIST.

EXCURSION TO SANDRINGHAM.

I AM pleased to say that our excursion to Sandringham, on
Saturday, 26th September, proved a very successful one. Owing
to the heavy rainfall in the middle of September, and the
following warm days, plant life was in a well-advanced state.
About eighty species of the plants found on this part of the
Victorian coast were seen in flower, thus giving those who are
beginners in the study of plant life a splendid opportunity of
securing a great number of species, as an encouraging start for a
collection. Indeed, it was a great pleasure to see what keen
interest the fifteen members of the excursion took in examining
and collecting specimens of the flora surrounding them.

Leaving the station at Sandringham, we followed the road to
Beaumaris for a few hundred yards, and then, turning to the
left into the open country, entered the Tea-tree scrub near the
Red Bluff, through which we proceeded as far as Black Rock.
Then, as time did not permit us to go further, we decided to
return to Sandringham, collecting partly on the sea coast and
partly on the slope rising from the shore.

Before proceeding further, I would like to offer some explana-
tion of the reasons for the conditions peculiar to this coastal flora.
It is at once observable that the Sandringham flora presents quite
a different appearance from that of more inland parts, and that
the prevailing species are either of a succulent nature, occurring
principally near the coast, or ihey are of a spinescent nature,
small and narrow leaved.

Soil and climate play an important part in determining the
character of a flora in general, and especially of a small local flora.
They are the causes by which some species are distributed chiefly
in certain regions, whilst in others with different soil and climatic
conditions they are either missing or occur in a modified form.
It seems as if plants which have the same claims on climate and
soil form a " fellowship," taking up, with united strength, the
struggle against the unfavourable conditions to which they are
exposed, or enjoying together such advantages as Nature has
provided. In the flora of Sandringham we observed three of
these fellowships.

As the sea forms a natural barrier to phanerogamous plant life,
I will speak first of all about those plants which brave the
inclemency of wind and wave, and, so to speak, form the outposts
of the flora further inland. In the poor, sandy soil which stretches
only a few yards in width along the sea we noticed Atriplex
cinereum, a species belonging to the Salsolacese, in solitary patches,
while Mesembriavithemum australe, M. cequilaterale, Tetragonia
implexicoma, and lihagodia billardieri dare not go too near the
sea, but are chiefly found on the partly rocky, partly sandy slope,

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 101

intermingled with small bushes of Myoporum insulare, M.
viscosum, Styphelia richei, and Alyxia buxi folia. Nature wisely
provided all these species with a great succulence or leathery
consistency in their foliage, in order to resist effectively
the great dryness of the soil and the hot temperature
which frequently occurs during the time of flowering in this
coastal district. Numerous small bushes of Leptospermuni
Icevigatitm, with its dainty white flowers, cover the slope, whilst
here and there, in small clusters, we found Lasiopetalum baueri,
the whole overshaded at intervals by specimens of Casuarina
quadrivalvis. All these plants, growing on the slope and forming
there the prevailing vegetation, are living in a community that
difl'ers in appearance from the next group, in which the Coast
Tea-tree, Lejitospermum Icevigatum, is the prominent feature.

Immediately on the edge of the slope, the Tea-tree, being
arborescent, forms a belt of dense scrub of varying width, having
for companions Acacia longifolia, Casuarina quadrivalvis, and
Banksia integrifolia, on which we often noticed the climbers
Clematis microphylla and Cassytha pubescens, both at this time in
fruit, with Muehlenbeckia adpressa in flower. On the edge of the
slope, where the Tea-tree does not form a compact mass, we
found Mesembryanthemum, Myoporum, Styphelia, Rhagodia, and
Tetragonia — a repetition of the first fellowship — while in the shade
of the Tea-trees, where the sandy soil has been improved through
the old leaves falling from the trees year after year, the orchids
Caladeiiia carnea, Pterostylis curia, P. concinna, Diuris loiigi-
folia, Acianthus exserttis, and Corysanthes pruinosa find the
necessary conditions for their life.

The vegetation growing on the slope and this of the second
fellowship show a considerable overlapping of the associated
species, but this condition does not occur further inland, where
the transition to the open ground is more or less fairly well
marked.

The third fellowship is composed of entirely different species,
which, on principle, will not accept the shelter which the Tea-
tree offers them close by. In fact, if we strike in this part a
separated group of Tea-trees, we notice that the flora under
them does not consist of the same species as those growing
around them. The prevailing species do not like the shade at
all. Most of them are well marked by their spinescent leaves,
thus having the surface area greatly reduced. This we observed
in Hakea nodosa, H. ulicina, Acacia oxycedrus, A. juniperina,
Isopogon ceratophyllus, Davesia tdicina, Epacris iinpressa, and
£. oblusifolia. As the sandy soil here is very dry, and the transpir-
ation, owing to the dry air, is so great, the transpiring foliage
must be reduced to a minimum in order to maintain the balance
and allow the plant to utilize the scanty supply of water to the

102 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

greatest advantage. We also observed the reduction in the size
of foliage in forms such as Ricinocarpus pinijolius, Leptospermum
scoparium, L. myrsinoides, Casuarina distt/la, the yellow-flowering
Aotus villosus, Dillwynia cinerescens, D. ericijolia, Acacia suave-
olens, and others. Wherever we set our foot we met with the bright
yellow-flowered Hibbertias — -fasciculata, stricta, and diffusa —
with Goodenia pinnatifida, and the white-flowered Pimeleas —
humilis, phylicoides, and octophylla — the last-named species well
provided with a dense coat of hairlets, in order to successfully
regulate the transpiration.

Where the soil is free of bushes or shrubs, herbaceous plants,
well-known friends of the inland parts, such as Hypoxis glabella,
Brachycome graminea, Mioroceris Jorsteri, Craspedia richea,
Hydrocotyle laxijlora, and Ranunculus lappaceus seem to enjoy
one another's company. Under the shelter of dwarf bushes of
Casuarina distyla, Banksia 7narginata, and others, Drosera
menziesii, Platylobiwin obtusangulum, and Calostrophus
Jastigiatus appear, whilst the climber Cassytha glabella grows
exuberantly among the bushes.

Most of the species mentioned bear white or yellow flowers,
which colours predominate in the flowers of the Sandringham
flora at this time of the season. But this want of variety of
colour is sometimes interrupted by the occurrence of more highly
coloured species, such as Glossodia major, Caladenia patersoni,
Thelymitra antenni/era, Frasophyllum elatwm, Candollea
serrulata, Arthropodium strictum, Patersonia glauca, JJianella
revoluta, Wahlenbergia gracilis, Chamcescilla corymbosa, and
the scarlet creeper, Kennedya prostrata. In places where the
soil retains the moisture for a considerable time during the year
we collected Utricularia dichotoma, Polypompholyx tenella.
Ranunculus aquatilis, Lymnanthemum exaltatum, and Droaera
spathulata. Fine specimens of the grass Stipa semibarbata
frequently rise above the low shrub vegetation. Of represent-
atives of cryptogamic plant life we found the ferns Lindsaya
linearis and the cosmopolitan Pteris aquilina.

My report is rather a lengthy one, as, in writing it, I have not
confined myself to merely mentioning the different species we
found in bloom, and which pleased us by their beautiful forms or
other peculiarities, but have taken the opportunity to try and
point out that even a superficial observation of a flora should
create such an interest in the observer as to cause him to
study the plants, not only as individuals, but also in the relation-
ship which the different species have one to another. — G.
Weindorfer.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 103

EXCURSION TO WANDONG.

For this excursion on Cup Day, Tuesday, 3rd November, six
members put in an appearance. Probably it was the very early
hour at which one had to arise to catch the 6.15 a.m. train at
Spencer-street that accounted for so limited an attendance.
Arriving at Wandong, on the northern slopes of the Dividing
Range, about 34 miles from town, we at once started eastward
along the old timber tram track, and at first little collecting was to
be done, there being no plants or shrubs in flower, scarcely any
Lepidoptera to be seen, and under logs, stones, &c., no beetles
whatever were found. About a mile from the station the Coleop-
terists were fortunate in securing a good variety of specimens
from under the bark of the eucalypts, the best capture being
three fine Longicorns, Phlyctcenodes pustulosits. The most
numerous beetle, however, was an Elater, Hapatesus hirtus, very
plentiful almost anywhere within 40 or 50 miles of Melbourne.
Other Elaters, of the genera Crepedomenus and Lacon, were also
plentiful, as were also small Carabs, mostly of the genera Sara-
throcrepis and Xanthophcea. A Longicorn which was fairly
numerous, but mostly dead, was Coptocercus aherrans, their death
appearing to be probably due to a fungus — at all events they
had a very fungoid look about them. Coptocercus rubrijjes was
also taken, but was not nearly so plentiful as C. aberrans. As
we ascended the ranges appearances improved considerably, but
still very few flowers of any description were to be seen, hence
the scarcity of butterflies. Of these the only ones we noticed,
and none of them numerous, were Pyrameis kershawi, P. ilea,
Junonia vellida, and Pieris teuionia. Near to and on the summit
were plenty of Acacia stricta (none in flower), and from these we
secured a few beetles, among them being one rather rare Longicorn,
Aphneope sericata, and an equally rare Elater, Chrusis tristtlcata.
We also took from these acacias, feeding in the wood, a few
larvce, which we think will prove to be Peisarthreus tnarginella,
so common in the Acacia longifulia about Cheltenham and
Mordialloc. Here on the summit we also saw one solitary
specimen of the yellow butterfly, Terias smilax, but, our Lepi-
dopterists not being present with their nets, it was not captured.
We extended our walk about two miles beyond the summit,
descending on the eastern slopes, but from a collecting point of
view they were more barren of results than the western, as the
only specimens we secured were two orchids, Calochilus
robertsoni and Chiloglottis gunnii. These were the only two
orchids seen on the ranges, and only two or three of each
species. A good many micro-fungi were taken, principally on
the leaves of Veronica, Viola, Hypericum, &c. These fungi
have been handed to Mr. D. M'Alpine, who reports several of

104 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

them as being new to science, and who, if present to-night, may
probably have something to say respecting them.

One of our members, Mr. Spry, was fortunate in securing some
Silurian fossils, but in the absence of a list from him I am unable
to say whether of any special interest. On our return to
Wandong, rather than wait there for three or four hours for our
train, we decided to walk to Wallan, distant about five miles on
the Melbourne side, and it was whilst walking inside the railway
enclosure that we came across a fine patch of the orchid Diuris
suljjhurea ; other plants were noted, nothing, however, worthy of
special mention, and no other orchids were seen.

Taken altogether, these ranges do not offer a good field to the
collector, but for Lepidoptera it will no doubt be much better in
a few weeks hence. For beetles there seem to be very few
flowering shrubs for them to feed upon, Leptospermum, upon
which so great a variety are generally found, being almost entirely
absent, and certainly none was seen in flower. Although our
excursion was not a great success, we were fully compensated by
having an exceptionally fine day, and the only drawback to a very
pleasant ouling was our having had to wait for close on three
hours at a most uninteresting station for the train to bring us
home, which we reached about 12 p.m. — D. Best.

THE BULL-ANTS OF VICTORIA.
By E. E. Barker, F.R.M.S.
{Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 16th Nov., 1903.)
Ax the September meeting of the Club I had the honour, on
behalf of the Exhibition Trustees, to exhibit two section cases
containing live ants ; and I now have pleasure in informing you
that the trustees are shortly about to open an Insectarium in
connection with the Aquarium. I am sure you will be glad that
a means will be thereby provided of observing the habits and
changes of many of those insects in which you are interested,
and which are known to the public by the excellent collections in
our National Museum and the Government Entomologist's
Department.

To show various phases of insect life under, as nearly as possible,
natural conditions, the Exhibition Trustees have set aside a
building which is specially fitted up as an Insectarium. Prominence
is given to bees and ants at work, which are shown in specially
designed glass cases. You are no doubt aware that at the Zoo-
logical Gardens in London the insect-house is a very interesting
feature, but it does not include sociable insects. At the Crystal
Palace there is an exhibit of British ants, but cases adapted for
small insects of from under ^\ inch to 'i inch are unsuitable for
the larger insects of Victoria. The Exhibition Trustees have
therefore had to devise cases to meet the requirements of local

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 105

specimens, and in doing this they have gone very far in advance
of anything hitherto existing.

The largest case (which is occupied by a colony of Red Bull-
ants) measures 6 feet x 4 feet x i foot 6 inches deep, while
others measure 3 feet 6 inches square, and are capable of con-
taining an entire nest. Some of the sectional cases measure
4 feet X 3 feet. For the bees observatory hives of an
advanced pattern have been made. The area of comb under
observation in each case is about 12 square feet. The Trustees
hope that this section will be helpful to those practically
interested in the production of honey from a commercial point of
view. Then there are cases for the larvae of Lepidoptera, for
scorpions, tree-spiders, stick and leaf insects, beetles, and for the
rearing of various kinds of silk-caterpillars.

The Trustees may, I am sure, rely upon the co-operation of
members of the Field Naturalists' Club to contribute live
specimens as the season advances. It may frequently happen
that during your excursions you may come across specimens
which, although perhaps not of the kind towards which you have
a special leaning, still would be very interesting to the general
public. May I ask you to assist the efforts of the Exhibition
Trustees by forwarding such unconsidered trifles to their
secretary, Mr. Thomas Short, who will gladly acknowledge
your contributions.

THE BULL-ANTS OF VICTORIA.

In speaking of the Bull-ants I am particularly referring to the
Black, M'/j7'mecia J'orjica'a, ¥a.hr., and the Red, M. sanguinea,
Smith, both of which I have had under observation in the insect-
house during the winter. I do not know whether they most deserve
the name of "Bull-dogs" from the square shape of the head, their
pugilistic disposition, or from their tenacity in retaining a hold.
They certainly deserve the title by reason of their courage. To
me the "Bulls" are but new friends, for I only made their acquaint-
ance in the early part of this year, but since then it has been close,
continuous, and occasionally lively. They are very similar in
structure ; the colour is their greatest difference, and next to that
the size, for the Blacks are a little larger than the Reds. They
are decidedly dissimilar, however, in habits and temperament.
The Blacks are more nocturnal in their habits ; comparatively
few of them show themselves under ordinary circumstances during
the day. A much greater activity is visible with the Reds. But
when once the Blacks are aroused they are active enough. If
you probe the nest they come teeming out with mandibles
extended in a very " let-me-get-at-him " attitude, so that in
digging out a nest and boxing between 600 and 700 you have to
look particularly lively or they will soon dance all round you,
showing a special preference for the part above the boots. I

106 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

have seen them follow an intruder for quite 30 feet from the nest
in the hope of getting a parting bite. With the Reds it is
different ; should one of them come to the entrance of the nest
and see you there he usually withdraws again and backs out of
sight. But in such a case a Black would come straight for you ;
he knows no discretion. Even in opening a nest of Reds, they
will withdraw to the lower chambers, so that when you come to
the end of a channel (which usually ends in a pocket) you may
be sure of getting a spade-full " all alive." During the winter
the Blacks keep very much under ground, scarcely showing them-
selves, and even at this date (November), and with the present
warm weather, the Blacks give very little sign of activity outside
the nest during the day, while the Reds have been out in con-
siderable force during the winter, busily working, with the ther-
mometer at 50 degrees. The Reds are much more gentle than
the Blacks ; they will approach you with an inquisitive but
inoffensive air, and I have had them frequently walk over my
hands without any attempt to bite or sting. The Blacks, how-
ever, with threatening aspect, open wide their mandibles before
reaching you, and should they touch your hand they at once dig
into it without any ceremony. The Bulls remind me very forcibly
of the bees, the Reds representimg the more gentle disposition
and more industrious habits of the " banded Italians," and the
Blacks the irritability and less activity of the Black Bees.
Another feature of resemblance is in the bands of colour on the
abdominal plates of the Red, and also their lighter colour
generally. I don't say that lightness of colour and abdominal
bands, in ants, is to be considered indicative of the same traits as
they mark with the bees ; but in working with them both one is
being constantly reminded of the similarity. The Bulls are
most remarkable for their size ; I believe the Black Bull-ant of
Australia enjoys the unique distinction of being the largest ant
known. Hundreds of the large workers in the colony will
measure from an inch to ly^ inches, and the females will measure
i/s inches and over.

Both the Red and the Black Bulls consist of minor workers,
major workers, males, and females. The minors (which are the
least numerous) commence at about fg inch. The majors
(which outnumber the minors by 5 to i) run from a little below
to a little above an inch, and the females i}4 inches. The
males and females may be distinguished from the workers by
their wings and their greater development of the thorax, and, if
apterous, the nodes showing where the wings were attached.

There are three processes by which the wings of the females
may be removed : — ist. By the drastic use of violence. When a
colony is queenless, and they capture one from a neighbouring
nest, they tear off its wings to secure it at home. 'Hie same

THE VICTOPaAN NATURALIST. 107

Strong measures are taken to denude some of the young queens
at the swarming period. 2nd. By voluntary action of the queen
itself. For this purpose the two posterior legs are used. The
legs are hitched over the wings, which are bent back and broken
off. Their attitude during this operation forcibly reminds you of
a gentleman carrying his walking-stick across his back, with his
elbows hitched over it. 3rd. By the natural process of exfolia-
tion— or, to use a legal term, the wings become " null and void
by the effluxion of time." All Bull-ants sting.

As regards the nests, they are very similar in outward
appearance and internal construction. Externally, a little loose
earth and a few holes are the only indications. I have opened
many of them during the past winter, and while there is a very
strong resemblance in the construction of the nests, I have been
struck with the fact that in all the Black nests I have found
larvae. This is not a case of the last brood hibernating, as is the
case with some ants, for the larvae are in various stages, and
increase in size during the winter months. In the Red nests I
have not found any larvae, and infer that breeding with the
Blacks goes on all the year round, while with the Reds it may not
proceed during the winter. The impression is strengthened by
the fact that the Blacks are far more numerous around Mel-
bourne, I know one paddock at Hampton in which I could
discover only one nest of Reds, while there are over 50 nests of
Blacks. It had first occurred to me that this discrepancy might
have been owing to the Blacks having almost exterminated the
Reds there, but I find the same occurs at the scrub between
Sandringham and Beaumaris, where the question of warfare would
not come in, for the district there is comparatively wide, and the
Blacks are not in such numbers as to have the nests so close
together ; yet it would be safe to say that even there 30 nests
would be found of the Blacks for one of the Reds. At Heidelberg
also I have found the Blacks more numerous. Probably some
of my fellow-naturalists may be able to confirm this in localities
further afield.

[Since writing this paper I have had the queen Black Bull
laying its eggs, and am therefore able to confirm the impression
that breeding proceeds all the year round with the Black Bulls.]

The strength of the colonies is also different. I have found the
Blacks number from five hundred to a thousand, while the Reds
I have opened numbered from two hundred to five hundred.
Both the nests go down 2 to 4 feet through the surface
soil into the yellow clay, and I have found them where the clay
was particularly hard, so that considerable labour with pick and
shovel is required in taking them out. There are exceptional
cases where the form of the nest is modified, which it may be
from the strength of the colony, the time it has been established,

108 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

the nature of the soil, or the advantage taken of its local
surroundings. I have found the Blacks show a greater preference
for old tree roots, and in one case where they had made a nest
near a fallen tree, one of the limbs of which had dipped into the
ground, where it had rotted away, the ants had returned up the
limb, so that that nest was not only below but also 2 feet
above ground, and larvse were found in the portion above the
ground level.

The sectional case exhibited at the September meeting measures
4 feet X 3 feet, and is a type of the nests of both the Reds and
the Blacks. The channels are wider towards the bottom,
narrower and more numerous at the surface, and they diverge
from the entrances. The inception of this design of case is due
to the secretary of the Trustees, Mr. Thomas Short, who, as a
practical constructional engineer, is au fait with sections. It has
been made under his direction, and possesses the great advantage
of showing both the ants and the construction of the nest. I
propose that this vertical section should be called " Short's
section," to distinguish it from the flat table, which is Sir John
Lubbock's section.

It has been inferred by Sir John Lubbock that ants do not like
the light, while the Rev. W. Farren White states that they have a
preference for it. The Bulls certainly show a preference for the
light. Not only are their nests generally placed where the sun
may shine on them, but in the insect-house they desert the side
of the case farthest from the light and frequent the portion
nearest the windows. Where they have themselves made
additional entrances to the nest, both the Blacks and the Reds
have made them as near to the windows as they could, while the
Reds have even closed up those entrances I had at first made for
them at the side of the case farthest from the windows.

In the proceedings of the Linnsean Society (of London) for
186 1 is a communication from a Mrs. Hatton, of Sydney, in
which are details of what is called the " funeral rites " of the
"Soldier" Ant — presumably the Red Bull. She states that, a
number of these ants having stung one of her children, she killed
about 30 of them, and on returning to the spot half an hour
afterwards she found a large number surrounding the dead ones.
She adds : — " I determined to watch their proceedings closely, and
followed four or five that started off from the rest towards a
hillock a short distance off in which was an ants' nest ; this they
entered, and in about five minutes they reappeared, followed by
others; all fell into rank, walking regularly and slowly two by
two until they arrived at the sjjot where lay the dead bodies of
the Soldier Ants. In a few minutes two of the ants advanced and
took up the dead body of one of their comrades, then two others,
and so on until all were ready to march. First walked two ants

THE V[CTORIAN NATURALIST. 109

bearing a body, then two without a burden, then two others with
another dead ant, and so on until the line was extended to about
40 pairs, and the procession moved slowly onwards, followed by
a regular body of about 200 ants. Occasionally the two laden
ants stopped, and, laying down the dead ant, it was taken up by
the two walking unburdened behind them, and thus by
occasionally relieving each other they arrived at a sandy spot
near the sea. The body of ants now commenced digging with
their jaws a number of holes in the ground, into each of which a
dead ant was laid, where they now laboured on until they had
filled up the ants' graves. This did not quite finish the remark-
able circumstances attending this funeral of the ants. Some six
or seven of the ants had attempted to run off without performing
their share of the task of digging ; these were caught and brought
back, when they were at once attacked by the body of ants and
killed upon the spot ; a single grave was quickly dug, and they
were all dropped into it." This account was incorporated by
the late Mr. F. Smith in his paper before the society in 1861,
and is referred to by Rev. VV. F. White in his interesting and
instructive volume of 1895 on " Ants and Their Ways." It
is to be regretted that in the interval between these dates no
corroboration of so extraordinary a story should have been
obtained.

I will merely state that if that story refers to the Red Bull it
finds no corroboration in my observations. I have kept a daily
record of the deaths of this ant extending over four months, and
while I have frequently watched them carrying their dead I have
never seen any attempt at burying them ; they usually bring them
to the corner of the case nearest to the light, and that portion
may be called the cemetery ; here they leave them, without any
attempt to cover them. It occasionally happens that the dead
bodies get covered unintentionally — as for instance, when they
are dropped on what may be called the general dumping ground
for the refuse building material. So far as the Bulls are con-
cerned, I have seen nothing to lead me to suppose that they
deliberately bury their dead, while I have seen a great deal
which contradicts the " De Rougemontesque " funeral procession
which I have quoted. When ants from opposing nests meet a
fight ensues, and it often happens that an ant from one nest will
be laid hold of by two from another nest, while a third will look
on and occasionally encourage its friends with its antennae. The
two attacking ants do not act in concord, but often pull in
different directions. When the strongest gets an advantage they
run for a time in the same direction, and this might have given
the idea of a procession.

The antenna, as with all ants, is a very important portion of
their anatomy. The flagellum is composed of eleven joints,

110 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

furnished with very sensitive hairs, and serves the purpose of
speech as well as touch and taste. It has been thought that
they may also possess the sense of smell. I have tried some
experiments with M. sanguinea, which do not seem to confirm
their appreciation of scent as we understand it. If a very
pungent and noxious matter is placed near the antennse they do
not hesitate to touch it, although they suffer thereby. They will
touch their antennje on wet paint or varnish, so that the sense of
smell that would be a warning to us does not seem to be appre-
ciated by them. If a drop of their own formic acid is placed
near them they will touch it with the antennse, and imme(iiately
show signs of distress. If the larva of the cockchafer, which has
been impregnated with formic acid by the stings of the ants, is
torn open and held towards them, and they touch it with the
antennse, they show signs of distress ; the antenna that has
touched the affected part will be violently rubbed either on the
side of the case or on the ground, the ant walking quickly back-
wards. Only the antenna which has touched the objectionable
matter will be rubbed, and after a very brief space the ant walks
away as if the pain had subsided. When they come into contact
with any slimy matter, as, for instance, in grappling with a worm
or attacking a slug, both the mandibles and antennae will become
coated. They will then seek a soft part of the ground, and rub
them in the sand preparatory to cleaning them. This seems to
be a very artful operation, for the grains of sand by attraction
will, to a certain extent, absorb the matter which they wish to
remove, and make it easier for them in the process of cleaning.

While the foregoing experiments would argue against the sense
of smell in the antennse, there are some points in favour of such a
faculty. For instance, the power of recognition by touch of the
antennse. If two ants from the same nest are separated for a
time (I have tested it after a period of months), they recognize
each other as friends by a touch of the antennse, but if two ants
meet from different nests (even if only a few yards apart) they
at once recognize each other as enemies, and a fight ensues. It
is not necessary that the antenna of one ant should touch that of
the other, for recognition at once takes place if the antenna of
one touches any portion of the body of the other. It is difficult
to disassociate this process of recognition from the sense of smell,
and equally as difficult to see why adjoining nests should differ in
that respect.

In performing their toilet their attitudes are both grotesque
and interesting. A favourite position is to turn the abdomen
under (like a crayfish), and extend the two hind legs back-
wards as props, and then sit straight upright. This relieves
the two fore legs, which may be used simultaneously to clean the
antennae and mandibles. On the anterior tibia there is an
elaborate apparatus, consisting of a brush to clean the antennse

THK VICTORIAN NATURALIST. Ill

and a scraper to polish the mandibles (this apparatus is easily seen
in the microscope). In brushing one of the antennae both legs
are often used in quick succession. The tibia of the intermediate
and posterior legs are each provided with two spurs with brushes,
but they are not so elaborate as those provided for the antennae.
A very frequent attitude is for the ant to careen over on the three
legs of one side and then lift up all the legs of the other side clear
of the ground, and clean the centre one with the two others. I
have seen them balance on two legs and abdomen, and use four
legs at once in the cleaning process. All the Bull-ants possess
both simple and compound eyes. The simple eyes (of which
there are three, situated on the top of the head) are used to see
objects at a distance, and the large compound eyes for objects at
very short focus. It does not require a great stretch of imagina-
tion to suppose the compound eyes of ants possess a magnifying
power. They see objects of microscopic minuteness, and at
very close focus. You are aware that all ants are most
sanitary in all that pertains to the formic castle. They not
only remove the dead, but also the dying. I have often seen a
struggling ant brought out of the nest and conveyed to the
cemetery. Thinking it was only an ordinary fight, I have put it
back again, only to find it again ejected. On putting one of these
under the microscope I discovered its feet and other parts of the
body were very dirty. I conclude, therefore, that neglect to clean
themselves is one of the first signs of sickness with the ants.

The Bull-ants (like other ants) are very fond of water ; they not
only drink it, but bathe in it and swim in it. I have frequently
seen them voluntarily leave one side of a 6-inch dish and swim
across to the other. You have no doubt often wondered at the
comparatively heavy weights lifted and carried by ants. A Bull-
ant will carry a large cockroach, which is several times its own
size and weight. Some of the stones they bring up from their
nests are like nuts or marbles. I have here a pair of gloves
made of doe-skin and lined with chamois leather ; they weigh
nearly 3 ounces. Any of the Red Bulls will hold one of them in
its mandibles, and the large workers of the Black variety will
sustain the united weight of both gloves. The ant weighs i^
grains. The gloves are therefore eleven hundred times as heavy
as the ant. Applying these figures to genus homo, it would be
equal to a man of 12 stone being suspended head downwards
and sustaining a weight of 82 tons in his teeth.

Personal. — Our fellow-member, Mr. Robert Hall, F.L.S.,
C.M.Z.S., returned to Melbourne during the month, looking well
after his long journey. We understand the collections made in
Siberia are in the hands of the Hon. Walter Rothschild, of Tring,
England, for working out, but we hope to hear some of Mr.
Hall's experiences within the Arctic circle ere long.

112 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

BOOK NOTICE.
Australian Nature Stories for Children. By Constance
Tisdall, B.A. Melbourne : Ingram and Son. Price, 6d.
Under the above title has been published a little volume of
nearly loo pages, designed as an elementary reading book for
schools. In the dozen chapters of which it is composed as
many of our characteristic birds, animals, and trees are dealt with
in an interesting style, generally conversational, in which each
object tells its own story, and in so doing emphasizes many of
the more prominent facts connected with its life-history. Each
chapter is illustrated, and is thus made more interesting for young
readers. It is to be hoped that its usefulness will be recognized
by teachers throughout Australia.

Timber-Growing in South Australia. — The recently issued
report of the Conservator of Forests for South Australia, Mr.
Walter Gill, shows what may be done in the way of tree-planting
in Australia. His State can fairly claim to be the first of the
Australian States to put timber on the market, suitable for com-
mercial purposes, from trees planted and grown under Govern-
ment supervision. Mr. Gill reports that an Aleppo Pine, Finus
halepensis, grown in tlie Wimbarra Forest in twenty years, was
felled and cut into timber for fruit cases, yielding enough boards
for sixteen cases. The result was so satisfactory that a small
saw-milling plant has been erected, and enough trees felled to
yield 6,000 export apple cases. The report is illustrated with
several views of portions of the plantations, as well as of the Date
Palms at Hergott, where 330 lbs. of very fine fruit was produced
last season. In another pamphlet on " The Growing Scarcity of
Coniferous Timber," Mr. Gill points out that tiie growing of pine
timber could be largely entered upon in Australia, and that the
Ninety-Mile Desert, between the Murray and the Victorian border,
could be made a vast pine forest, to the manifest advantage of
fruit-growers and others, besides affording an outlet for labour.

Dfstruction of Marsupials. — The Annual Report (for 1902)
of the Queensland Inspector of Stock contains some large figures
with reference to the destruction of marsupials in that State.
Since the inception of the Act of 1877 a bonus has been paid
on the scalps presented, which have numbered 17,378,392 in
all, comprising 7,407,863 kangaroos and wallaroos; 9,290,039
wallabies ; 460,838 paddymelons, bandicoots, and kangaroo
rats; and 219,652 dingoes. The report states that, owing to
the drought there is a decrease of 4,250,000 in number of sheep
cattle, and horses in the State, in comparison with the previous
year. Competent authorities have stated the loss to Australia by
drought, during the last seven or eight years, has amounted to
at least 60,000,000 head of sheep, cattle, and horses.

Cb^Ulctorian naturalist

Vol. XX.— No. 9. JANUARY 14, 1904. No. 241.

FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in the Royal
Society's Hall on Monday evening, 14th December, 1903.

Mr. D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., one of the vice-presidents, occupied
the chair, and about 55 members and visitors were present.

REPORT.

The hon. librarian reported the receipt of the following
donations to the library : — " Forest Flora of New South Wales,"
part 5, by J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., Government Botanist, from the
author ; Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales, vol. xix.,
part II, November, 1903, from the Department of Agriculture,
Sydney; Nature Notes, October and November, 1903, from the
Selborne Society, London ; Knowledge, November, 1903, from the
proprietors.

ELECTIONS.

On a ballot being taken, Miss Carrie Cowle, East Melbourne,
and Messrs. H. G. Haig, 32 Princes-street, Fitzroy ; Hugh A.
Browne, Croydon Road, Surrey Hills ; and Arthur C. Parkyn,
Campbell-road, Balwyn, were duly elected members of the
Club.

GENERAL BUSINESS.

The chairman took the opportunity of welcoming back to the
Club Mr. R. Hall, F.L.S., who recently returned from a collecting
trip through Siberia and Russia, and afterwards visited England.
Mr. Hall, in acknowledging the cordial welcome extended to him,
expressed his pleasure at being back again in Australia.

Mr. G. A. Keartland reported on the meeting of the newly-
formed Field Trial and Game Protection Society, at which he
was appointed to attend, together with Mr. D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S.,
as representatives of the Club. Mr. Keartland stated that he was
cordially received by the Society, which gave him an opportunity
of explaining the Club's views regarding the close season for
game. He availed himself of this opportunity to protest against
the tendency of many sportsmen to endeavour to secure " big
bags " at the expense of the birds. The chairman, Mr. Le Souef,
also spoke, and mentioned that a deputaJ:ion of sportsmen had
recently waited on the Commissioner of Public Works to advocate
the opening of the shooting season for ducks and quail at an
earlier date. The hon. secretary reported that in consequence of
the action of the sportsmen the committee had appointed Messrs,

114 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

T. S. Hall, M.A., G. A. Keartland, and the secretary, Mr. J. A.
Kershaw, F.E.S., to act as a deputation to wait upon the Com-
missioner to protest against any alteration in the present
Game Act. He had communicated with the Minister, who
had fixed the i6th inst. as the day on which he would receive
the deputation. He further explained that the Club's delegates
would be supported by the representatives of the Australasian
Ornithologists' Union and the Zoological and Acclimatization
Society, while representatives of the sportsmen would be present
to oppose the action of the Club.

Mr. A. Mattingley drew attention to the proposal of the
Government to lease the creek and river frontages throughout the
State, and to give the right to the lessees to cultivate these areas.
He thought some action should be taken by the Club to prevent
the destruction of the timber on these water frontages, as, in
addition to the loss of the timber, the native mammals and birds,
through being deprived of their cover, were driven from the dis-
trict. He also stated that there was a proposal to throw open for
selection portions of Wilson's Promontory.

Mr. G. Coghill thought the Minister was only endeavouring to
obtain revenue from those areas which are already used by
farmers and others.

Mr. F. Wisewould thought that the adoption of such a
proposal would mean the total destruction of all the timber on
the river frontages, as the land would be cultivated, and it would
therefore affect not only the fauna and flora but even the fish.

Mr. F, Pitcher said that the Minister found that squatters and
others had been using these water frontages for years without
payment, and his object was to obtain some revenue in return
for the concession. All river frontages, with very few excep-
tions, are permanently reserved for a chain or so. Regarding
Wilson's Promontory, he thought that if it were definitely known
that the Government proposed to throw any of it open for
selection, some action should certainly be taken by the Club to
prevent it.

Mr. A. Coles spoke in support of Mr. Mattingley's remarks.

It was decided that the Committee should consider the matter,
with a view to taking some definite action.

PAPERS.

I. By Mr. G. A. Keartland, entitled "Ornithological Notes —
The Grass-Wrens."

The author stated Uiat the genus Amytis, Grass-Wrens, was a
difficult one to investigate owing to the inaccessibility of their
habitats, and their peculiar methods of rendering themselves in-
visible to the observer. He related his experiences with Amytis
textilis, A. $triat7iH, and A. modesia, and ventured the opinion

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 115

that A. macroimis, of Gould, will prove synonymous with A.
texiilis, Quoy and Gaimard.

Mr. R. Hall and the Chairman made some observations on the
paper, and congratulated Mr. Keartland on the value and useful-
ness of his work. The former stated that the genus was, however,
preoccupied, and would not therefore stand.

REMARKS ON EXHIBITS.

Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., drew attention to and made some
remarks on a rare colour-variety of the common eel, which he
exhibited on behalf of the National Museum. The specimen
was recently presented to the Museum by Mr. H. Quiney, of
Mortlake.

Mr. C. French, jun., drew attention to the specimen of the
orchid Fterostylis mackibboni, exhibited on the table.

Mr. J. Gabriel called attention to a small collection of Polyzoa
and shells, recently dredged at Western Port Bay, exhibited on
the table.

NATURAL HISTORY NOTES.

Mr. F. Wisewould remarked, regarding the recent wreck of the
tank vessel Petriana, off Point Nepean, from which large quanti-
ties of oil escaped, that mussels collected near Wiiliamstown,
nearly 50 miles from the scene of the wreck, were found to be
strongly impregnated with kerosene.

Mr. G. A. Keartland drew attention to the reports in the news-
papers of the enormous quantities of caterpillars which were
doing great damage to the grass and crops in various parts of the
State.

Mr. C. French, jun., stated that they were the larvae of the
well-known moth Heliothis armigera.

Mr. J. Gabriel stated that the European Starlings were eating
large quantities of the caterpillars, and that the farmers recom-
mended their protection on that account.

Mr. A. Coles endorsed what Mr. Gabriel said regarding the
value of the Starling. He also furnished a newspaper cutting re-
garding the destructiveness of sparrows to grain.

Mr. D. Best remarked on the enormous quantities of the com-
mon white butterfly, Belenois Java, Spar., usually known as Pieris
teutonia, Fab , on the Buffalo Mountains, where they appeared
in thousands.

Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., stated that these butterflies were
unusually numerous this season almost all over the State. They
were to be seen almost every day flying along some of the
principal streets in the city and suburbs. Sydney entomologists
had also remarked on the large numbers in that State. In answer
to a question, Mr. Kershaw stated that the larvae of this species
feed on the leaves of Capparis initchel/i.

116 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

EXHIBITS.

By Miss L. Bainbridge. — The rare orchid Pterostylis mackib-
bonij from South Australia ; also, a Leinon showing germinating
seed, with well-developed chlorophyll.

By Mr. P. C. Cole. — A sacred ceremonial stick, from N.W.
Australia.

By Mr. C. French, jun. — Buprestis Beetle, Stigmodera bremei,
Hope, found breeding in wood of Acacia stricta, collected at
Wandong Ranges ; also, fine specimen of aboriginal stone knife,
from Murray River, near Swan Hill.

By Mr. C. J. Gabriel. — Specimens of shells of Cypraea atigus-
tata and varieties dredged alive at Western Port ; also old
teapot lid encrusted with Polyzoa, Lithothamnia, and Gorgonia ;
and some fine specimens of Polyzoa, all dredged by him at
Western Port.

By Mr. G. A. Keartland. — Eggs of Grass-Wrens (Amytis), in
illustration of paper ; also, skins and eggs of Platycercus
adelaidensis.

By Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., for National Museum. — A
colour variety of the common eel, Anguilla australis, Rich.,
collected by Mr. H. Quiney, Mortlake ; also a collection of
Coleoptera, collected by Mr. G. Coghill and himself at
Launching Place and Emerald during November.

By Mr. D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S. — An aboriginal wedge, axe,
tomahawk, and chisel from Western District, Victoria.

By Mr. A, Mattingley. — Echinoderm, Asterias sinusoida, from
Sandy Bay, Tasmania ; also Pecten shells from Storm Bay,
Tasmania, and fossils from Mt. Wellington, Tasmania.

By Mr. C. Walter. — Dried specimen o^ Hakea vittata, R. Brown,
Victorian Alps and Buffalo Mountains, new localities for this
species ; previously recorded only frorn S.W. and N.W. of Victoria.
Collected by C. French, jun., and C. Walter. Specimens of
remarkable Alpine varieties of the following well-known Victorian
plants, together with ordinary types : — Caladenia cameo-,
Eiiphrasia brownii, Novea heterophylla, Pimelea axijlora.

After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated.

EXCURSION TO LAUNCHING PLACE.

This excursion, extending from Saturday, 7th November, to
Monday, the 9th, was well attended and proved very enjoyable.
Launching Place, situated on the south bank of the Upper Yarra,
distant 41 miles from Melbourne by railway, and 14 miles by
road from Healesville across the Watts and Yarra divide, was
visited by some members of the Club in January last, and a brief
report of that visit will be found in the last volume of the Club's
journal (xix., page 147).

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 117

Launching Place ! What a misleading name 1 On hearing it
for the first time, one, not initiated into the mysteries and incon-
gruities of our local geographical nomenclature, might conjure up
a scene on the Gippsland Lakes or the sea coast, where some
stately ship might take its initial plunge into the broad waters.
The shallow, crooked stream, hurrying and gurgling 'raid scented
shrubberies, its surface broken by boulder and snag, could hardly
accommodate a canoe for more than a few hundred yards at a
stretch. Yet here, in days that passed with the opening up of
country by road and rail, miners and others did their carrying
trade by means of flat-bottomed boats — themselves often wading
whilst towing — to parts remote from the highway. And, at this
spot, the boats, kept high and dry when not in use, were launched
for the water carriage of merchandise. Hence the name.

Launching Place is well situated as a base whence excursions
may be made up several tributaries of the Yarra. In the upper
parts of these small streams there exists, in natural state, a wealth
of that native vegetation which is, in many other parts of the
State, fast disappearing before the axe of the selector.

Two important tributaries, from the naturalist's point of view,
debouch into the Yarra a short distance from the hotel, which, as
in January, we made our head-quarters. These two are the Don,
dignified with the title of river, and the Yarra Rivulet. The former
has its source in the range which forms the divide between this
and other streams flowing southerly to the Yarra and the tribu-
taries of the Watts River.

The source of the Don, as ascertained by our aneroid observa-
tions, is something over 1,500 feet above sea-level, and during a
run of about six miles the water falls about 1,100 feet to the
Yarra. This gives, roughly, a drop of 183 feet to the mile, or a
grade of i in 30.

The Britannia Creek emerges from among spurs of the range
which separates the Gippsland and Evelyn waters, and, flowing
westerly some six miles to its confluence with the Yarra Rivulet,
continues as part of that stream another mile and half to the
Yarra, the main drainage channel of Evelyn county. The nursery
of Britannia Creek is granitic country, while the Don rises among
dacite rocks. Both streams flow over an intermediate stretch of
undulating silurian country before reaching the main river flats.

Launching Place was reached about 10.45 ^-^-j ^^^^ Saturday's
rambling was near home, the available time before lunch being
spent on the flat between the railway and the Yarra Rivulet,
There we found a luxuriant growth of rushes and sedges, and,
sheltered by them, such small plants as Viola hederacea,
the buttercups, lianunculus rivularis and B. iappaceus, while
bolder shrub plants fringing the rivulet where chiefly Cassinia
aculeata, Aster stellulatus, a few wattles, and occasional young

118 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

eucalypts, and, prettiest of all, Kunzea peduncularis. Here,
too, the Prickly Box, Bursaria s2n7iosa, grows plentifully, but at
this time lacking the glory of bloom and the myriads of insects —
bee, bug, beetle, and the like — vyhich made it so conspicuous in
January. The entomologists of the party had, therefore, to turn
their attention to the less showy plants, and to decayed logs and
semi-detached bark for their captures.

In the afternoon we struck easterly, along the railway line,
towards Yarra Junction, and found within the railway enclosure,
and thus protected against browsing animals, well-developed
specimens of plants which, owing to their scarcity in or absence
from roadway and adjacent paddocks, seemed the more conspicu-
ous. Here Goodenia ovata was plentiful but much disfigured by
insects; the Native Primrose, G. geniculota, Billardiera scandens,
the Trigger Plant, Candvllta scmdala (perhaps better known as
Stylidium, and of deeper shade of pink than is commonly seen),
Arthropodium strictum, BurcJiardia uinbellata, and Wahlenbergia
gracilis were those mostly in evidence.

At about two-thirds of the distance to Yarra Junction we left
the railway, and, turning northerly, crossed the tongue of fiat land
between the Yarra Rivulet and the Yarra to a point where a
private bridge over the main stream gave us access to the undu-
lating scrub country north of the Yarra, the immediate locality
being private property on which stands a house well known locally
and to visitors as " Yarra Doon." The afternoon's ramble was
rather disappointing, as there were few plants, and none not already
enumerated, found beyond the river. The scrub consists ol
Cassinia acideata, Aster slellulatKS, Acacia stri</a, young eucaly[)ts,
and bracken fern, a few fruitless dwarf ferns sheltering under logs,
&c. Indeed, had it not been for the pretty scene at the bridge,
which delighted us with its loops of rushing water and banks
shaded by lichen-covered trees and shrubs, of which some, such as
the willow, have been introduced, this outing, as regards all but
the railway enclosure, may be recorded as unprofitable.

Our geologists, who had meanwhile gone westerly to Woori
Yallock, returned in the evening, and the night train brought two
members from the city, increasing our number to ten, including
two ladies.

On Sunday morning we made an early start up the Don River
valley by the bridge which crosses the Yarra, a stone's throw from
our hotel. Beyond the river the country may be divided into
three classes, viz., flat, undulating land, and hilly country. The
flat proved barren of pleasing or interesting vegetation. It is
divided into paddocks for grazing cattle, and only such dwarf
plants as are invariably neglected by browsing animals, e.g.,
Mazi'S pumilio, Isotoma Jlitviadlis, Viola hederaceo, and Aster
glandulosvs were found between the clumps of grass and sedge

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 119

which partly sheltered them. On reaching the undulating
country there was a striking change in the vegetation — Dianella
longifolia growing luxuriantly, as also Goodenia ovata, marking
the beginning of dryer soil. Leptospermam scoparium and
Melaleuca sqioa7-rosa were plentiful and in full bloom, and
occasionally Fimelea ligush'ina, six or eight feet high, with
terminal inflorescence, was met with. Pultemea muelleri occurred
in places. The eucalyptus trees are of inferior quality in this
locality, but, though poor as timber, they afford shelter to
numerous plants whose absence from the cleared land we had
already remarked — viz., Drosera menziesii, Chiloglottis gunnli,
Tetratheca ciliata, &c., the Dianella and Goodenia before-
mentioned keeping with us as we march.

Still climbing gradually, with the stream near at hand but
below us on the left, where the fern Lornarla discolor is sending
up its fruiting fronds, we reach country which, on account of
timber denudation, is barren looking and uninteresting when
examined. The slope is almost monopolized by Gassinia
aculeata and Pleris aquilina, which have replaced the lost
eucalyptus. The large paniculated headlets of the Cassinia have
pink and white buds, on separate bushes, and promise a fine
show of white to relieve the extensive but varied green which
is predominant now.

The first eastern tributary marks a change, though the Cassinia
and Goodenia are slill with us. Here we make our first
acquaintance with the " Glen " flora, and the Native Mulberry,
Hedycarya cunningharni, bearing both fruit and flowers, is ad-
mired ; the Native Pep[)er, Drimys aromatica, too, reminds us
that we have reached a higher and more shaded locality, while
other shrubs and small trees, characteristic of the typical Gipps-
land and Upper Goulburn tributary valleys, appear in plenty.
Side by side with Hedycarya and Drim.ys stands our old friend
the Musk Tree, Astt7' ar-gophylhis, its flowers early developing.

We come to a conspicuous artificial landmark. It is the
skeleton of a demon that slaughtered the tall eucalypts, and thus
deprived the lowly plants of their natural protection. The steam
heart of this dead monster is gone, the body has been dis-
membered, and the cruel steel teeth have been drawn, but tor
many a long day the refuse from this dead gourmand's meal, in the
shape of a huge sawdust heap, will mark what was once forest land.

Still ascending we reached a point where the road turns
abruptly to the lett, crosses the stream, and goes north-westerly.
Here on the hillside on the right is another prominent landmark,
known as " Malleson's." The introduced trees and shrubs about
it and the cleared garden space are in striking contrast to the
native vegetation. Here we have the entrance to what is
popularly known as " Malleson's Glen," which is really the upper

120 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

part of the Don River. The rival attractions of the glen and of
" Malleson's Look-out " — some three miles further along the road,
a little over the saddle, and looking towards Healesville — causes us
a little hesitation, but during our halt for lunch the discovery of
some fine moss, Dawsonia superha, near the road, and some
orchids, GhilogJottis gunnii, on the trunks of the Valley Tree Fern,
Dicksonia billardieri, settles the matter, and we keep to the glen.
There is a broad track cut for a considerable distance by timber-
getters, who found in the stately forest trees, Erijcalyptxis
amygdalina, &c., excellent material for city sewerage slabs and
palings.

" Malleson's Glen " is a luxuriant tangle of beautiful trees,
associated with an undergrowth of shrubs and tree-ferns, with
dwarf ferns, mosses, and lichens scattered between or growing in
epiphytal beauty. Overhead the Beech, Fagus curndnghami,
its green foliage turning from brown and gold at the branch tips,
mingles with the modest but graceful and aromatic Sassafras,
Atherosperma tnoschatum, the Native Pepper Tree, Driniys
aromatica, the " Blanketwood," iSenecio bedfordii. These, with
Hedycarya cunninghami, and the handsome but nasty-smelling
Zieria smithii, form the main shade of this splendid fernery,
wherein may be found a large variety of smaller ferns, such
as Pteris incisa, Aspidiinn aculeatum, A. capense, A. decom-
posilum, Lomaria diacolor, L. Jtuviatilis, L. lanceolata, L.
capensis, Asplenium bidhijerum, A. umbrosinn^ &c., were found.
The orchids grew only on the upper parts of upright tree-fern
trunks, seeking the sha'^e of the crown of fronds, and the softer
woolly matter of the upper stem, and on the erect and recum-
bent fern trees the Victorian Staghorn Fern, Polypodium
pustulatum, and P. avstrale, cling affectionately, while some of
the trunks are almost hidden by the dense lace-like mat of
Hymenopliyllum tunbridgense and IVichomanes venosum.

We creep up from the cool, damp fernery to the sunlit slope,
and find our ubiquitous friend, Goodenia ovata, the Native
Nettle, Vrtica incisa, and the Native Elderberry, Sambucus
gaudichaicdiana, commencing to fruit. Here and there on the
shade margin sprays and festoons of Clematis aristata show
conspicuously, and by the side of the track at least one fine
specimen of the Square Tree Fern, Osmunda barbara, with
short, thick trunk and magnificent dark green fronds, many
bearing ripe brick-red spores in great quantity.

The beginning of November is too early for the fruiting
of the ferns in general. Except on Osnunda barbara, Dicksonia
billardieri, Polypodium. pustulatum, and P. australe, fruit
specimens were not obtained, though the fronds of Asplenium
bulbiferum, showed indications of spores, besides having
young plants developing at the tips. " Malleson's Glen " is

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 121

a place where tired brains and aching hearts should find relief,
where fairies might hold their revels, and the tired Titan find
some brief repose. Yet presently we might lose this beauty spot.
It is not reserved, and is only protected by a gazetted proclama-
tion, which merely withholds the area from cutting of timber.
Something should be done at once to effect the permanent
reservation of this area, and we suggest that the Field Naturalists'
Club should initiate such action.

Monday, gth November, was devoted to the Britannia Creek,
but we did not on this occasion go far enough along the tramway
to reach the saw mill which is cutting on the margin of the State
Forest. Previous experience taught us that a whole day should
be devoted to the trip. The ferns and glen shrubs, we know, are
of less luxuriant growth and less numerous in the Britannia Creek
valley than in correspondingly accessible parts of the Don valley.
Startmg at an early hour we walked easterly along the railway,
encountering many plants which had been noted on Saturday,
and saw at the roadside near by Leptospermitm scojicirium and
Melaleuca squarrosa in bloom. Further away, on the low hill-
side, the Native Cherry Tree, Exocarpos cupressijormis, bore
young fruit. Passing on to where the timber tramway connects
the Britannia Creek saw-mills with the railway, we use the tram
track for the rest of our route, soon across marshy land where
grows a dwarf forest of sedges, &c., comprised chiefly of Xerotes
longifolia, X. thunbergii, Gahnia trifida, and Cyperus lucidus,
and sheltered by these plants a few smaller ones. A bottle of
water and weed taken here showed, on later examination under
the microscope, some filamentous algae, such as Spirogyra and
Zygnema, some Desmids and countless myriads of Protozoa
feeding on the decaying weed. Here and there we saw the Blue
Lily, Patersonia glauca, the orchid Microtis porrifolia, and
occasionally the Bladderwort, Utricularia dichotoma. Then,
after crossing the Yarra Rivulet and some more flat land, the
tramway begins to climb through lightly timbered undulating
country. Here we meet with the " Sandringham flora" mixed
with other plants. We note Stackhousia linarifolia, Gompholo-
hiuni hiiegelii, Sphcerolobiuin vimineum, and the Trigger Plant,
Candollea serrulata ; also Brunouia australis, Tetratheca ciliata,
Bur char dia ihmbellata, C omesper'nia volubile, C. ericinum,
Drosera menziesii, Pultenma gunnii, hidigofera aimtralis (in
seed), Brachyconie, sp., Helickiysum apiculatum, Wahlenbergia
gracilis, &c. All these are fairly plentiful. Of orchids a few
finely developed Thelgmitra aristata, Pterostylis cncullata, and
Prasophyllum patens were seen, and a small isolated patch of
Calochilus robertsoni. Where the tram track winds about the
south side contour of the valley, and the slope is steeper, the
Tetratheca continues and grows more robust, the " Sandringham

122 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

flora " is gradually left behind, and flowering plants in general are
few and far between. Amperea spartioides occurs occasionally,
and here and there a Hakea nodosa in fruit. Cryptattdra hookeri
and Grevillea alpina almost complete the list, the last-named
being very plentiful.

At about four miles from Launching Place the tramway en-
counters a small creek flowing down a gully so steep and narrow
that it cannot be negotiated by a curve. Here we lunched, and
are rendered immortal by our amateur photographer. And after
collecting a few plants, of which, as a specimen for the herbarium.
Plat ylohium for mosum is the most important, in fine development,
we return to our starting point.

For some account of the zoological results of the excursion I
am indebted to my co-leader, Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S.
Messrs. G. Weindorfer and R. A. Bastow have assisted in the
compilation of the botanical results, while Mr. F. Chapman,
F.L.S., has contributed some notes on the petrology of the
district. — A. U. Hardy.

Zoology.— As a whole, the zoological results of this ex-
cursion were not so good as anticipated, though this was to a
great extent due to the limited number of workers, and to a
lesser extent to the want of time to more thoroughly work the
district. For instance only some twenty-six species of birds were
noted, but had one been able to devote more attention to this
branch the number could easily have been greatly increased.
Numbers of small birds were seen among the thick under-
growth of the gullies and along the bush tracks which could not
be identified with any degree of certainty without closer exam-
ination, while, no doubt, many notes regarding the nesting might
have been obtained.

Among the insects, Lepidoptera were unusually scarce, only
a very limited number of species being seen, and most of these
were well-known kinds. Two small micros., however, proved
new to me.

Several specimens of Papilio inacleayanus were seen at
Malleson's Glen, on the Don River; while quite a number of
fresh specimens of Tisiphonn {Epinejjhile) abeona were flitting
about on the track, in company with Fyrameis kershawi and P.
itea. The larvse of Heteronympha tnerope and Pyrameis itea
were taken, the former under a log and the latter curled up in a
folded leaf of the native nettle. Numbers of the wood-boring
larvse of Ilepiahis liynivora and a few of H. exiinea were seen
at Malleson's Glen.

Portion of the country on the track to Britannia Creek re-
minded one strongly of Sandringham, and here were noticed a
number of well-known geometers common to that class of
country. In the low-lying ground freshly-emerged specimens of

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 123

Ayarista lewini were flying about, while higlier up on the hills
some good specimens of the skipper, Hesperilla doubledayi, were
taken.

Coleoplera were more plentiful, the flowering Leptospermum
growing thickly along the Yarra about Launching Place and
Yarra Doon yielding numbers of some of the commoner species
of Chrysomelids, Clerids, &c. Searching under the bark of the
larger eucalypts in this locality proved profitable, though less so
on the hills. On stripping our first tree near the station no less
than nineteen species of Coleoptera were noticed, including
Carabs, Clerids, Longicorns, Elaters, &c., not to mention the
numbers of spiders, earwigs, centipedes, &c. The common
Elater, Hapatesus hirtus, was parlicularl)' numerous, and where
exposed a dozen or so were seen closely clustered together, with
a fttw specimens of the Clerid, Pyhis fatuus, in their midst.

Log-rolling, which was freely indulged in, revealed several
species of Carabs, some of which were numerous, while a male
and female each of Lissapterus howittanus (now becoming rare)
and Ceratognathus niger were also taken. Upon a closer ex-
amination at home, about seven species of Coleoptera proved new
to me.

The large green Cicada, C yclochila australasice, numbers of
which were just emerging from their ungainly-looking pupa cases,
made tlieir presence keenly felt by their continuous ear-splitting
stridulation.

Several species of Hemiptera were found on the Leptospermum,
gum saplings, under bark, &c., some of which were very common.
Spiders were, as usual, plentiful, but only a few were bottled. A
special search was made under logs, &c., for living specimens of
the large Black Snail, Faryphmita atramentaria, at one time very
plentiful near Fernshaw, but now scarce, but only one was found,
tliough two perfect and several broken shells were found. The
smaller species, PJiytida capillacea, and the small white Eudo-
donla depressa were, however, common. Several specimens of
a very small brownish species were found under bark in the
gullies. The common Freshwater Mussel, Unio australis, occurs
m the Yarra at Launching Place, and a small species of Bulinus
was found on some sticks taken from a pool near the township,
together with a fine Freshwater Leech.

Land Planarians were few in number, though five difterent
species were taken. — J. A. Kershaw.

List of birds identified : —

Birds (26 species).
Graucalus mentalis
Gralhna picata

Collyriocincla harmonica, nest
and eggs

Gymnorhina leuconota
Petroeca rhodinogaster
Eopsaltria austialis
Acanthiza chrysorrhoa
Malurus cyaneus

124

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

Rhipidura tricolor

,, albiscapa

Psophodes crepitans
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
Ptilotis leucotis
Myzantha garrula
Acantliochsera carunculata
Podargus strigoides
Menura victorise

Petrochelidon nigricans
Dacelo gigas
Halcyon sanctus
Cacatua galerita
Platycercus eximius
Cuculus pallidas
Notophoyx novae-hollandiae
Sturnus vulgaris.

List of insects identified : —

CoLEOPTERA (78 species).
Scaraphites rotundipennis
Stenelophus dingo
Sarothrocrepis civica
S. calida
S. duponti
Scopodes varipes
Antiporus gilberti
Xantholinus cliloropterus
Dasygnathus dejeani
Semanopterus distributus
Ceratognalhus niger
Lissapterus howittanus
Liparetrus sylvicola

„ macleayi

Msechidius meilyanus
Stigmodera varia

,, bicincta

,, victoriensis

Monocrepidius punctato-striatus
„ cordieri

„ pictus

Hapatesus hirtus

,, jugularis

Eleale pulcher
„ unicolor
Natalis porcata
Xylotretus canaliculalus
Aulicus plutus
Trogodendron ephippiuui
Scrobiger splendidus
Pylus fatuus
Eros scutellaris

Metriorrhynchus erythropterus
Atractus ruficollis

Chromomsea rufipennis
Mordella communis

,, dumbrelli
Lagria basalis
Apsis howitti
Lepispilus sulticollis
Pseudhelops ocellata
Belus sparsus

,, bidentatus
Prypnus canaliculalus
Pelororrhiiuis argentosus
Asplocnemis suturalis
Rhinota hsemoptera
Ecrizothis inaequalis
Euops falcata
Euchoptera apicalis
Stenoderus bicolor
Epithora dorsalis
Callidiopsis scutellaris
Pempsamacra pygma;a
„ dispersa

Paropsis lachesis

,, nigerrima,var. alternata

,, trimaculata

,, liturata

„ bicolor

,, ulcerosa
Coccinella conformis
Cheiloxena insignis
Drypta australis
Haltica pagana
Alesia frenata

Cryptocephalus flavocinctus
Leperina adusta
Lemodes coccinea

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

125

Ulodes verrucosa
Scitala rugosula (?)
Seirotrana crenicollis
Cordus hospes
Platisus australis
Brontes militaris
Prostomus intermedins
Euryspa vittata
Hapatesus hirtus.

Lepidoptera (25 species).

Papilio macleayanus
Pyrameis kershawi, and larva

„ itea, and larva
Tisiphone (Epinephile) abeona
Belenois Java, Sparr. = teutonia,

Fabr.
Una agricola
Hesperilla doubledayi
Agarista lewini
Nyctemera arnica
Asura lydia
Porthesia hololeuca
Comarchis aspectatella
Lichenaula arisema
Hypertropha tortriciformis, Gn.

Freshwater and Land
Shells.

Paryphanta atramentaria
Rhytida capillacea
Chloritis brevipila
Endodonta depressa
Unio australis
Bulimna, sp. (?)

List of plants identified : —

Phanerogams.
Clematis aristata
Ranunculus aquatilis
R. lappaceus
R. rivularis
Hibbertia stricta
Drimys aromatica
Atherosperma moschatum
Hedycarya cunninghami

Scirpophaga patulella, Walk.
Mecyna polygonalis
Dichromodes stilbiata
Hydriomena subochraria, Dbld.
Scoparia meyrickii, Butl.
Talis pedionoma, Meyr.
Philobota chrysopotama, Meyr.

,, pretiosella, Walk.

,, arabella, Newm.
Coesyra annularis, Rosens.
Thudaca obliquella, Walk.

Hemiptera (6 species).
Amorbus robusta
Oxycarenus luctuosus
Dindymus versicolor
Pisates opacus
Harpacter australis
Ptelocnemus plumifer.

Homoptera (6 species).
Cyclochila australasige
Eurymela speculum
Stenocotis varia
Bythoscopus latifrons
Poeciloptera acuta
Centrotus australis.

Land Planarians (5 species).

Geoplana munda
,, spenceri

hoggii
„ adse.
„ mediolineata.

Fresh-water Leech (i species)

Limnobdella quinquestriata,
Schm. (?)

Cassytha glabella
Cardamine stylosa
Viola betonicifolia
V. hederacta
Billardiera scandens
Drosera menziesii
Comesperma volubile
C. ericinum
Tetratheca ciliata

126

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

Zieria smithii
Correa lawrencuna
Erodium cygnorum
Pelargonium australe
Amperea spartioides
Australina pusilla
Urtica incisa
Fagus cunninghami
Stackhousia linarilolia
Stellaria pungens
Goinpholobium huegelii
SphcTsrolobiuin vimineum
Pultensea gunnii
P. muelleri
Dillwynia ericifolia
Plalylobium formosum
Goodia lolifolia
Indigofera australis
Glycine clandestina
Acacia verticillata
A. leprosa
A. dealbata
Rubus parvifolius
Acsena ovina
A. sanguisorbse
Leplospeimum scoparium
L. lanigerum
Kunzea peduncularis
Melaleuca squarrosa
M. ericifolia
Eucalyptus amygdalina
Pomaderris apetala
Cryptandra hookeri
Panax sambucifolius
Exocarpos cupressiformis
Loranthus pendulus
Grevillea alpina
Hakea nodosa
Lomatia longifolia
L. ilicifolia
l^anksia marginata
Pimelea linifolia
P. ligustrina
P. huaiilis
P. axitiora
P. flava
Galium australe

Brachycome graniinea
Aster argophyllus
A. stellulatus
A. ramulosus
A. glandulosus
Helichrysum leucopsidium
Cassiuia aculeata
Siegesbeckia orientalis
Cotula coronopifolia
Senecio bedfordii
Lobelia purpurascens
Isotoma fluviaiilis
Wahlenbergia gracilis
CandoUea serrulata
Brunonia australis
Goodenia ovala
G. geniculata
Erythraea australis
Solanum vescum
Mazus pumilio
Utricularia dichotoma
Prostanthera lasianlha
Epacris impressa
Thelymitra aristata
Calochilus robertsoni
Prasophyllum patens
Microtis porrifolia
Pterostylis cucullata
Caladenia cariiea
Chiloglottis gunnii
Diplarrhena morsea
Patersonia glauca
Hypoxis glabella
Dianella longifolia
Burchardia umbellata
Thysanotus patersoni
Artluopodium strictum
Xerotes brownii
Xanthorrhcea minor
Triglochin procera
Cyperus lucidus
Anthisliria ciliaia.

Cryptogams.

FERNS.

Trichomanes venosum
Hymenophyllum lunbridgense

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

127

Gleichenia circinata

Osmunda barbara

Alsophila australis

Dicksonia billardieri

Davallia dubia

Pteris aquilina

P. iiicisa

Lomaria discolor

L. lanceolata

L. fluviatilis

L. capensis

Blechnurn cartilagineum

Asplenium bulbiferum

A. umbrosum

Aspidium aculeatum

A. capense

A. decompositura

Polypodium ausirale

P. grammitidis

P. pustulatuni

P. punctatum.

Collected by Miss K. Cowle,
and identified by Mr. R. A.
Bastow : —

HEPATICS.

Trichocolea tomentella

Lepidozia ulothrix
Symphyogyna flabellata
Marchantia polymorpha.

MOSSES.

Leucobryum candidum
Funaria hygromt;trica
Orthotrichum crispum
Hypnuni crinitum
Hypnodendron spininerviuni
Dawsonia superba
D. appressa

Sphagnum cymbifolium
Cyathophorum pennatum
Biyum bimum
Ceratodon purpureas
Polytrichum angustatum
P. juniperurn
Atrichum ligulatum
Dicranum setosum
Hookeria nigella
Blindia acuta.

LICHENS.

Parmelia conspersa
P. perforata
P. tenuirima
Usnea barbata
Cladonia aggregata.

Geology. — The petrology of the districts visited on this excur-
sion is of much interest, and the rocks would repay the work of a
detailed study. Although some of the types of rocks met with are
similar to the Macedon rocks described by Professor Gregory,
there are others which seem to be peculiar to this locality, or, at
any rate, different from the Macedon type. The geologists of
the party collected specimens of Dacite from the Don River
valley, near the junction of the intrusive rocks with the Silurian.
Some of these exhibited weathering in a striking manner, large
boulder-like masses peeling at their angles, reminding one of the
spheroidal weathering of some finer-grained granites; this resulted
in the formation of large residual spheroids of the rock, often 3 or
4 feet in diameter. The occasional fracture of these boulders
revealed a rudely radial structure in the interior of the mass.
The granulitic diorites were occasionally found weathered in
concentric coats seen on striking off the corners of the exposed
rocks. This was especially the case with a mica diorite found
here. Some of the rocks higher up the mountain are presumably
rich in titaniferous iron, for the runnels at the sides of the track
were filled with the black glittering material, an almost pure menac-

128 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

canite sand. Following a tributary of the Britannia Creek the
principal rock met with, at a height of about 900 feet above sea
level, was a huge mass of Granodiorite or Granitite, the typical
granite of the older surveyors of the colony.

Notes on the Rock Specimens ■.^-

Granodiorite. — In a tributary of Britannia Creek.

This rock is characterized by the felspars being almost essen-
tially of the ])lagioclase types. Quartz fairly common, allotrio-
morphic, rarely idiomorphic. Plagioclase felspars, frequently
zoned. Much biotite. Apatite occurs sparingly. Tourmaline as
inclusions in quartz. The felspars are in many cases undergoing
metasomatic or internal chemical changes.

Granulitic Diorite. — Don River Valley.

An augite diorite, having a granulitic base or ground mass of
small rounded plagioclases. Porphyritic crystals of plagioclase
occur scattered throughout, sometimes determinable as oligoclase.
Also much green augite, nearly always enwrapped by a coat of
small platy brown hornblendes derived by dynamical metamor-
phism from the augites which still form a nucleus. A fine
rhombic pyroxene, presumably hypersthene, occurred in one
example. The rock has evidently suffered much deformation,
and is quite gneissose in hand specimens.

Dacite. — Don River, near junction with Silurian.

This rock somewhat resembles the Willimigongong type
described by Professor Gregory from Mt. Macedon, but the
groundmass is micro-crystalline, with evidence of fluxion structure.
It is crowded with phenocrysts of quartz, felspar, and mica. The
felspars are plagioclastic and idiomorphic (with crystalline
boundaries) ; they are frequently corroded, and many contain
inclusions. The quartz, although in idiomorphic crystals, is as a
rule rounded and corroded by the magma, and the crystals are
often fractured. Biotite common. Apatite rare.

Although there are several quarries and cuttings in the district,
the locality is unfavourable for fossils, the only specimen seen
being the markings of a fucoid in some grey argillaceous Silurian
rock. — F. Chapman.

At the Summer School for Teachers, at present being con-
ducted by the Education Department, nature study is taking a
prominent position. Messrs. J. A. Leach and H. T. Tisdall,
members of the Field Naturalists' Club, are lecturing on
zoological and botanical subjects.

The first award of the Baron von Mueller medal for original
researches in Natural Science, referring especially to Australasia,
has been made by the Australasian Association for the Advance-
ment of Science, now sitting at Dunedin, to Mr. A. W. Howitt,
F.G.S., of this State, for distinguished work in ethnology, geology,
and botany, extending over forty years.

Cbe Ulctoriait naturalist

Vol. XX.— No. 10. FEBRUARY 4, 1904. No. 242.

FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in the Royal
Society's Hall on Monday evening, i8th January, 1904.

The president, Mr. O. A. Sayce, occupied the chair, and about
150 members and visitors were present.

REPORTS.

The hon. librarian reported the receipt of the following
donations to the library : — " Geological Survey of Victoria,
Bulletins 9, 10, and 11," from Department of Mines, Victoria;
Journal of A griculhire, Victoria, vol. ii., part 3 (January, 1904),
from Department of Agriculture, Victoria ; Einu, vol. iii., part 3,
(January, 1904), from the Australasian Ornithologists' Union ;
Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales, vol. xiv., part 12,
from the Department of Mines and Agriculture, Sydney; "Report
of Australian Museum for 1903," from the Trustees Australian
Museum, Sydney ; " Proceedings Linnean Society of New South
Wales," vol. xxviii., part 3, from the society ; " Transactions
Royal Society of South Australia," vol. xxix., part 2, from the
society; Nature Notes, December, 1903, from the Selborne
Society, London ; Knowledge, December, 1903, from the pro-
prietors ; " New or Little-Known Victorian Fossils," parts i and
2, by F. Chapman, A.L.S., from the author.

Mr. G. A. Keartland gave a report on the results of the
deputation from the Club which recently waited on the Minister
of Public Works to protest against the suggested alterations to the
Game Act. The Club was represented by the hon. secretary, Mr.
J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., and himself, Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., being
unavoidably absent. They were supported by representatives of
the Victorian Zoological and Acclimatization Society and the
Australasian Ornithologists' Union. The sportsmen, who were
present to oppose the Club's action, were strongly represented,
and were supported by several members of Parliament and
delegates from several shire councils from the northern districts.
He, Mr. Keartland, explained the action taken by the Club in
July, 1 90 1, when a sub-committee was appointed to draw up a
list of suggestions for the guidance of the minister administering
the Game Act, and reviewed in detail the method adopted to
obtain the views of representative sportsmen, agriculturists,
bird-dealers, and others throughout the State on the subject.
The list which was drawn up, submitted to, and finally adopted

130 THK VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

by the minister was based on the evidence thus obtained. He
brought forward strong evidence to prove that by opening the
shooting season for quail on ist March, and for ducks on 20th
December, as suggested by the sportsmen, great destruction of
both young birds and eggs would follow, and that the sportsmen
were only acting against their own interests in advocating the
earlier dates. He further explained that the Club was quite
aware of the fact that the birds in the northern districts bred
earlier than those in the southern, but he contended that it was
almost impossible to divide the State into districts, with a
different date for the shooting season in each, and that, if there
were any doubt in the matter, the birds should be allowed the
benefit. Mr. Godfrey, for the Zoological and Acclimatisation
Society, Mr. D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., for the Australasian Orni-
thologists' Union, and others, strongly supported his remarks.
The sportsmen, together with the several delegates from the
shire councils, strongly resented the action of the Club, which, it
was asserted, wished to prevent any birds being shot. They
contended that the quail had practically done breeding by the ist
March, and several of the speakers stated, as a reason for
opening the season earlier, that, as the birds frequented the
stubble paddocks, large numbers were destroyed during the
burning of the stubble, which was done in March, before the
shooting season, as now arranged, opened, after which there
were no birds left to shoot. The Minister, in giving his
decision, stated that if he had his own way he would
prevent all shooting for at least two years, so as to give
the birds an opportunity to increase. He decided that,
as the birds in the northern areas bred earlier than those in
the southern, he would divide the State into two divisions, and
that the shooting season for Quail would commence on ist
February north of the Dividing Range and on 7th March on the
south. For ducks he fixed the opening season for the 27th
December. He stated, however, that this alteration would only
apply for twelve months, and he hoped by that time to be able to
go into the matter again with a view to establish some uniformity
regarding the Game Acts throughout the several States.

Mr. D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., and the hon. secretary, Mr. J. A.
Kershaw, F.E.S., also made some remarks on the subject.

The President commended the valuable efforts of those who
had acted in the interests of the Club on the deputation.

ELECTIONS.

On a ballot being taken, the following were duly elected
members of the Club : — Ordinary members — Miss A. F. VV.
M'Haffie, " Chadderton," Park-road, St. Kilda West ; Miss
M'Innes, " St. Duthers,' Kintore-street, Camberwell ; Miss M.

tHE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. l3l

Shaw, Mertcn-crescent, Albert Park ; Dr. Gertrude Halley, M.B.,
2 2 Collins-street, Melbourne ; Master Percy Taverner, Derby-
street, Camberwell. As country member — Mr. William Hugh
M'Mahon, Warrnambool.

GENERAL BUSINESS.

The President announced that a new Leitz microscope stand,
together with a No. 3 and No. 6 Leitz lens, an Abbe condenser,
and two eye-pieces had been purchased for the use of members at
the Club meetings. Mr. J. Shepherd had also very kindly presented
the Club with a No. i Leitz lens, and he had much pleasure in
extending to Mr. Shephard the thanks of the Club for the gift,
which would be greatly appreciated by the members.

PAPERS.

By Mr. R. Hall, F.L.S., entitled "A Summer Journey through
Corea and Siberia."

With the assistance of a very fine series of lantern views, the
author described his journey through Japan, Corea, and Siberia,
in company with Mr. Trebilcock, of Geelong, the chief object
being the study of the birds of the country passed through,
together with those which visit Australia but nest in Siberia. By
the aid of a map he pointed out the route followed, and then
proceeded to describe the many items of interest which came
under their notice. In Japan, where they stayed about 10 days,
he saw the Spine-tailed Swift, which migrates to Australia, return-
ing to Japan to breed. They next proceeded to Corea, several
scenes of which were shown ; thence, via Vladivostock, they
travelled through Manchuria and visited Irkutsk and Yakutsk,
making a short stay at each place, and collecting and noting the
various birds met with. The long journey down the River Lena
was full of interest to the naturalist. Here he found the Aus-
tralian Swift, Microjms pacificus, among other Australian birds,
nesting, and frequently saw it perching on the rocks. Here also
they were fortunate in witnessing the migration of one of the
European finches, which passed over in thousands. Photo-
graphs of Reindeer Moss growing a.mong the rocks and a variety
of plants in flower were shown, also of piles of the great tusks
of the extinct mammoth awaiting shipment, many of which
weighed between one and two hundredweight. In conclusion a
series of maps were shown to illustrate the probable route followed
by the birds migrating to Australia. Altogether some 400 birds
were collected on the journey, mostly from country never before
worked by the ornithologiht.

The president, Mr. O. A. Sayce, congratulated Mr. Hall on
the work he had accomplished, and the value of his observations
in the field, particularly regarding the migrations and breeding
places of the birds which visit our shores.

132 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

Messrs. D. Le Souef, G. Coghill, F. G. A. Barnard, and C.
Coles also spoke to the paper.

NATURAL HISTORY NOTES.

Mr. F. G. A. Barnard drew attention to the numerous letters
appearing in the daily press regarding the question, " Do snakes
swallow their young ? " and asked the opinion of Mr. Le Souef on
the matter. Mr. Le Souef stated that this was no doubt one of
many popular errors. He did not think for a moment that the
young take refuge inside the mother. He stated that a Tiger
Snake has up to fifty-two young at a time, and ridiculed the idea
of such a number finding room inside the mother. The young
of Australian venomous snakes, he stated, are born alive, and are
quite active and ready to bite, though from his personal ex-
perience the effects of their bite are not serious. In fact, he said,
it was not possible for a snake to poison a person if bitten
through the trousers or stocking, as owing to the canal which
conveys the poison through the fangs opening some little
distance from the point of the tooth, the poison is lodged in the
clothing and not in the punctures. He thought that many of the
cases reported of recovery from snake-bite might be accounted
for in this way.

Mr. G. A. Keartland mentioned a case, which came under his
own observation, of a snake confined in the Sydney Zoological
Gardens, which had forty-two young ones, and which swallowed
several of them, but none of them appeared again.

Mr. A. J. Campbell drew attention to a beautiful nest of the
Scrub-Tit, Acanthornis 7nagna, from Tasmania, which was
collected and exhibited, together with the mounted bird, by
his son, Mr. A. G. Campbell ; also to A. ewingi, a species which
had been reinstated in the Tasmanian fauna after being lost sight
of for some 40 years.

EXHIBITS.

By Mr. A. G. Campbell. — The following four species of
Tasmanian Tits : — Acanthiza chri/sorrhoa, A. diemeiiensis, A.
ewingi (reinstated after being lost sight of for 40 years), and A.
magnirostris, from King Island ; also nest and mounted bird of
the Scrub-Tit, Acanthornis magna, from Mt. Wellington, Tas-
mania.

By Mr. P. C Cole. — Aboriginal reed necklace, worn when in
mourning, from North Queensland.

By Mr. A. Coles. — Mounted specimen of the Northern Diver,
Colymbus glacialis, from Russia.

By Mr, C. French, jun. — Three Victorian scale insects, new to
science, and collected by Mr. C. French, jun., viz. : — PuJvinaria
salicornice, Green, on salicornia, from Little River ; Sphcerococcus

THE VICTOPaAN NATURALIST. 133

Jloccosus, Green, on roots of Correa alba, from Cape Schanck ;
Aspidioius alatus, Green, on eucalyptus stems, from Kerang.
This latter coccid has also been recently collected in New South
Wales, by Mr. W. VV. Froggatt, F.L.S. Also eggs of Acanthiza
ewingi (rare), collected in 1892 by Mr. E. D. Atkinson, in
Tasmania.

By Miss M'Haffie. — Nest of Melithreptus lumclatus, collected
on Buffalo Ranges excursion.

By Mr. A. Mattingley. — Echinoderm, Pentagonaster astro-
logorum, from Western Port.

By Mr. F. Pitcher, for Director Botanic Gardens, Melbourne :
— Flowers of several varieties of Eucalyptus Jicifolia, Scarlet-
flowering Gum, from Western Australia, including what may
possibly be a white-flowering variety. Also flowers of rose-
coloured variety of E^tcalyptus calophylla.

By Mr. C. Walter. — Plants not previously recorded from N.E.
of Victoria : — Pidteiioia mollis ; Stypandra coispitosa, var. alba ;
and Tetratheca ciliaia, collected by C. French, jun., and C.
Walter.

By Mr. F. M. Reader. — Dried specimens of Camelina dentata,
Pers., naturalized, and new for Victoria ; Calotis anthemoides,
F. v. M., new for N.W. of Victoria; also of Poa bulbosa, L.,
Alopecurus geniculatus, L., sub.-sp. fulvus, Sm., naturalized
grasses, new for Victoria.

After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated.

ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES.— THE GRASS-WRENS.

By G. a. Keartland.

{Read before the Field Naturalists^ Club of Victoria, 14th Dec, 1903.)

Writing of the genus Amytis, Gould, in his " Handbook," p.
335, says "it is strictly Australian, and of which three species
are known, inhabiting the southern half of the country." How
far this is now correct may be gathered from the following
notes : —

The genus comprises about half a dozen species, all with
modestly coloured plumage. Owing to the nature of the country
in which they are found and its distance from civilisation but
little is known concerning their habits. The species recorded
are: — Amytis textilis, Quoy and Gaimard ; A. striatus, A.
macrourus, and A. goyderi, Gould ; A. modesta, North; and A.
housei, Milligan.

Gould appears to have based his remarks on A. textilis on a
single specimen, which he describes as a male, but made no

134 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

allusion to the appearance of the female. Still his few remarks
on its habits and mode of life ate interesting. 0( A. striatus he
obtained only one male specimen himself. Although he saw
others secured in New South Wales he again omits any mention
of the female. This is unfortunate, as will be seen later on. Of
A. macrourus he says : — " This is the only species of the genus
found in Western Australia, and it is evidently the western repre-
sentative of A. textilis of the eastern coast, to which it is nearly
allied, but it is easily distinguished by its more robust form and
greater length of tail." This last remark is somewhat peculiar,
as he gives the measurements in inches, as follows •.—A. striatus,
total length, 6%; bill, ^; wing, 2^; tail, 3^^ ; tarsi, i.
A. macrourus, total length, 5^ ; bill, ^ ; wing, 2% ; tail, 2^ ;
tarsi, 7/^. 0( A. textilis he gives no measurements.

During the four months of 1894 spent in Central Australia with
the Horn Scientific Exploring Expedition I had the good fortune
to shoot specimens of three species — A. striatus, A. textilis, and
what Mr. North has since described as A. modesta — which at
the time were considered as only two. The male birds were
easily identified as A. textilis, but the females were lighter in
colour, and less striated on the breast and throat, besides having
a marked difference in the shape of the bill. Mr. C. E. Cowle
has since then kindly sent me other skins, which I have
forwarded on to Mr. North, and after careful examination he has
described this bird as a new species, under the name of A. modesta.
The mistake arose from the fact that the different sexes were
obtained in different localities. But when I crossed the Great
Desert of North-Western Australia with the Calvert Exploring
Expedition, in i8g6, I saw many birds in all stages of plumage of
both A. striatus and A. textilis. Nothing appears to be known
of Amytis goyderi beyond the fact tiiat a bird was obtained by
the Lake Eyre Expedition, and on its being forwarded to England
was thus named by Gould. It is said to be a near ally of
A. striatus. For information re Amytis housei and A. gigantura,
I am indebted to an old member of this Club, Mr. A. W.
Milligan, of Perth, Western Australia, who kindly furnished me
with the notes given under their headings.

All the species I have met with were in sandy or rocky country,
in which their plumage harmonized with the ground or rocks of
ferruginous sandstone. The proximity of water seems to be a
matter of indifference. Where A. striatals was found breeding in
the Great Desert in numbers in September and October, 1896, we
travelled 230 miles from Brookman's Creek to the nearest well in
which we obtained water by sinking, and throughout the trip
noted an entire absence of water-loving birds. The Grass-Wrens
were seldom known to fly 20 yards at a time, and on alighting at
once secreted themselves under the nearest cover.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 135

Taking the species in their order, I will now give a few notes
that may prove of interest to ornithologists who cannot study from
nature for reasons already stated.

Amytis textilis, Quoy and Gaimard, Grass-Wren.

Stunted ti-tree scrub, cane grass, samphire and spinifex flats
are the favourite haunts of this specits. I first saw it at
Idracowra, one of the flats on the Finke River, about loo miles
north-west of the Charlotte Waters, Northern Territory. Most of
the level ground near the river vyas covered with tussocks of
coarse cane grass, among whicli the low note of the Grass-Wren
was frequently heard. After searching for some time for the
author of the strange sound, I saw what at first appeared to be
a species of Calamanthus run from tussock to tussock, with head
low and tail erect. I made several attempts to shoot, and at last
killed one at a distance of about six yards. Although the cart-
ridge was a light one the bird was destroyed, which was annoying,
as it proved to be a bird I had never seen before. I then
decided to stand still until one appeared on the open ground
within range. For half an hour I watched these birds ho|)ping over
the ground, one at a time, with tail erect like the Maluri, picking
up insects and seeds. Occasionally one found an insect, and,
whilst holding it in its bill, uttered a twittering note, probably
intended as a challenge to an unseen comrade. In response to
the call another emerged from the cane grass, and a fight or chase
for the morsel took place. During one of these episodes, I took
a quick shot at a pair of birds about forty yards off and both fell.
One fluttered into a tussock, winged, but the other lay until I got
near, when it too struggled to a tussock. Although the bird had
both a wing and a leg broken it took about twenty minutes to
capture, and would probably have escaped had I not been assisted
by a native. The other bird could not be found. The specimen
secured was afterwards identified as the Amytis textilis of Gould.
Its general colour was dark brown above, with a dirty white stripe
down the centre of each feather. The breast was a little lighter
in colour, but similarly striped ; on the side and flank was a patch
of chestnut-brown. The thighs were exceedingly massive for so
small a bird, and were almost denuded of feathers, which
appeared to have been worn off by running through the coarse
grass. Other specimens subsequently shot were also males.

In 1896, whilst travelling from Cue to Lake Way in Western
Australia, many of these birds were disturbed by our camels as
we passed through some stunted heath resembling boronia, but,
owing to their refusal to fly, I had difiiculty in obtaining speci-
mens until Lake Way was reached, when several were secured in
the following manner. As soon as we located the little clump
from which the peculiar note of the Amytis came, Mr. G. L.

136 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

Jones walked up to and kicked the bush, and as the bird ran out
he threw a stick at it, causing it to fly a short distance, thus
enabling me to get a shot at about 12 or 15 yards' range. But
in a samphire flat near our camel depot on Brookman Creek, I
had the pleasure of observing these birds daily for five weeks
(August-September), which proved to be breeding time in that
neighbourhood. The male birds showed themselves with great
freedom, hopping about the open grounds amongst the samphire,
which extended for about a mile on the west side of the creek,
or displayint^ their agility in the low bushes close to our camp.
Females would soon appear in answer to the call of the male,
and then all the antics of the Maluri were gone through. Each
pair of birds kept to themselves, and should a third one appear
it was at once chased away. Specimens of each sex were shot,
all of which corresponded exactly with the male birds obtained
in Central Australia. We also found several of their nests, con-
taining either eggs or young ones. The nests were either on or
close to the ground, in dense undergrowth, dome-shaped, with a
large side opening. The eggs were as uniform in colour as the
birds themselves, the rich red markings almost obscuring the
white ground. The young, as soon as feathered, are exactly like
the parents, except that the tail is a trifle shorter.

Amytis striatus, Gould, Striated Grass-Wren.

This bird is a much brighter rust colour on the upper parts
than A. textilis, and the white stripe along the shaft of each
feather on crown, neck, and back is rendered more conspicuous
by a black line separating it from the outer webs, which are rust-
coloured. A black line runs from near the base of the bill
beneath the eye to the ear coverts. The throat is white, shading
off to dirty-white or pale buff on the breast. The wings are
short and rounded, and the tail long, generally carried erect.
Many of their movements coincide with those of the Maluri.
A. striatus is truly a grass bird, i.e., it is invariably found in
spinifex or porcupine-grass flats, where it runs rapidly from
tussock to tussock when disturbed. It is very wary, and although
hundreds of them were observed by members of the Horn
Scientific Expedition, on the table-lands of Central Australia, very
few were shot, owing to their habit of disappearing into the
prickly Triodia. How they avoided impaling themselves on the
pointed blades was a mystery. Occasionally one might be seen,
towards evening, perched on a low bush, giving utterance to a
feeble but plaintive song. At the least sign of danger it would
hop to the ground and run to cover. The sexes are alike in
plumage, and can only be distinguished by dissection.

A. striatus is a solitary bird, and seldom more than a pair are
seen together. They live in country destitute of water, and their

THE VlCtOKlAN NATURALIST. 137

food consists principally of ants and spidery, of which a plentiful
supply is always available. Crossing the Great Desert of North-
West Australia they were frequently the only birds visible. As
we travelled through the spinifex, in September and October, we
often saw these birds suddenly hop off the side of a tussock, and,
on visiting the spot, found the nest placed on top of the tussock.
It was dome-shaped, with a large side-opening, invariably facing
east, and constructed of the dead strippings of the spinifex. The
two eggs which constituted the clutch were white, with a few light
brown spots, as though sprinkled with bran. Others were freckled
with finer spots, in some cases forming a zone.

Amvtis modesta. North.

Whilst with the Horn Expedition, at Stokes's Pass, in the
Macdonnell Ranges, I shot several birds which at that time I
thought were A. textilia, and labelled them as such, but on a sub-
sequent examination I noticed a marked difference in the shape
of the bill and the colour of the under parts. They happened to
be all females. Apart from the difference already pointed out
between this bird and A. lextilis is the fact that they are almost
exclusively confined to the locky sides of the gorges in the
Macdonnell Ranges, where they are found in flocks of from six
to ten birds, apparently living in the most perfect harmony. I
saw several flocks of these birds hopping amongst the rocks or
on the ground, others on the stones. Sometimes as many as four
or five on one stone at a time, but at the least alarm they all
vanished behind stones or into crevices in the rocks, but appar-
ently avoiding the shelter of the grass. Whether this species is
polygamous is doubtful. My opinion is that they are simply
gregarious when not breeding. Through the kindness of Mr.
C. E. Cowle I received several clutches of eggs of this species,
which were taken from nests in cane grass tussocks. Fortunately
Mr. Cowle shot the bird at the nest, and so established its identity.
As Mr. North has already pointed out in the Victorian Naturalist,
vol. xix., p. 103, these birds are paler and less striated than
A. textilis, though resembling that species in some respects.
Their eggs have also a different appearance, as will be seen from
the specimens on the table.

Amvtis goyderi, Gould, Goyder's Wren.

The bird to which this name was given by Gould was secured
by a member of the Lake Eyre Exploring Expedition in the
interior of South Australia. Its nearest ally is said to be
A. striatus. Until further particulars are to hand I shall retain
the opinion that it is a doubtful species, as the white throat and
chest appear to indicate too close a connection with striatus.
It is also found in the same country.

138 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

Amytis housei, Milligan, Black Grass-Wren.

This bird was one of the trophies secured by my friend, Dr.
F. M. House, whilst with the Kimberley Exploring Expedition,
in igoi. Mr. Milligan writes: — "As regards Amylis housei I
consider it the most handsome and distinctive member of the
genus." Black is the prevailing colour, but the head, neck, and
breast are striated with silky white, abdomen black, whole of
back and upper tail coverts very dull chestnut. The following
is Dr. House's field note : — " This bird was first found near
Camp F. B. 25, where the surrounding country was very rough,
and strewn with piled-up masses of sandstone, in colour chiefly
shading from red to black. It was observed passing over the
boulders, with which its colouring harmonized so perfectly that it
might easily pass unnoticed. In running it lowers the head and
tail, giving it a peculiar appearance, not unlike that which the
Pheasant Coucal presents when running on the ground. Its
distribution seemed to be entirely determined by the colour of
the rocks. It was only observed running over the sandstone, and
only in places where the colouring of the rocks harmonized with
its own. Its measurements are as follows : — Total length, 8
inches ; tail, 3^ inches ; tarsus, i inch ; mandibles, from gape to
point, ^ inch ; from forehead to point, ^s inch ; wings, 3 inches."

Amytis gigantura, Milligan, Western Grass-Wren.

Recently it was announced that Mr. Tunny, one of the
collectors for the Perth Museum, had obtained a new species
of Amytis, which Mr. Milligan described as A. giganlura.
I therefore wrote to that gentleman for any information he
could supply concerning it, and he very kindly replied
by return of post as follows : — " As regards A. gigantura,
Dr. Sharpe appears to have forestalled me in the Zoological
Records, 190 1. I described it in the Victorian. Katurnlist (xix.,
p. 28) of the same year. He calls it Amytornis viegalurus."
Mr. Milligan further states — " There is not any doubt in my mind
that Gould confounded the two species (A. textilis and A.
macrovrns). The bird he subsequently described in the Proceed-
ings of the Zoological Society as A. textilis many years after he first
described that species was undoubtedly Dr. Sharpe's A. megalurua
and my A. gigantura. Just look at the measurements given by
Gould on each occasion, as also the description generally,
and then say if it be possible to reconcile the two. I have had
the pleasure and opportunity of handling a number oi A. gigantura
lately, and the tail measurements invariably equal 4 inches."

Amytis imacrourus, Gould, Large-tailed Grass-Wren.

I am strongly of opinion that when further investigation has
been made this name will disappear from the list of Australian

THE VICTOKIAN NATURALIST. 139

birds. All information concerning it points to the conclusion
that macrourus and textilis are one and the same bird. It is, to
say the least, remarkable that Gould should give such a name to a
bird, and then show by his measurements that it is the smallest
species of the genus.

How Mushrooms Grow. — Writing on fungi in the January
issue of Knowledge, Mr. George Massee states that " in all fungi
the portion visible to the naked eye, however varied its form or
colour, represents only the reproductive portion ; whereas the
vegetative part is buried in the substance from which the fungus
obtains its food. The popular belief that the mushroom and
other fungi grow in a single night is not correct ; it is quite true
that when the mushroom has reached a certain stage of develop-
ment one or two days suffices for it to attain its full size after it
appears above ground. Before this final spurt is reached, how-
ever, the baby mushroom has been growing for some weeks, and
undergone various changes of structure and development before
it emerges above ground. A little thought will recall to mind the
fact that mushrooms do not spring up within two or three days
after the formation of a mushroom bed, but several weeks elapse
before the mushrooms are ready for the table. . . . The
various methods of spore dispersion as occurring in the fungi are
interesting ; only a few of the most pronounced can be noticed
here. By far the most universal agent in effecting the distribu-
tion of spores is wind, as may be observed when a ripe pufifball is
crushed under foot. Insects are also answerable for the extension
of many fungus epidemics, by alternately feeding on or visiting
diseased and healthy plants, and in so doing unconsciously
conveying spores from one plant to another. Perhaps the most
interesting instance occurs in a group of fungi to which our
' stinkhorn ' belongs. Most of the species are tropical ; in this
country (England) we have only three representatives. In this
group the reproductive portion of the fungus often assumes most
fantastic forms, and is generally brilliantly coloured. Over this
framework is spread at maturity a dingy green, semi-fluid mass,
intensely sweet to the taste, and, from the ordinary human stand-
point, intensely foetid ; the exceedingly minute spores are
embedded in this substance, which is greedily devoured by
various kinds of insects, mostly flies, who thus unconsciously
diffuse the spores, as it has been shown that these are not injured
by passing through the alimentary tract of an insect. It is
interesting to note that in certain of the fungi the same advertise-
ments in the guise of colour, sweet taste, and smell are used for
the purpose of unconscious dispersion of the spores by insects as
are used by many flowering plants for the purpose of securing
cross-fertilization, also through the agency of insects."

140 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

A Colour Variety of the Common Eel, Anguilla australis.
Rich. — A rather unusual colour variety of the common eel was
recently presented to the National Museum by Mr. H. Quiney,
of Mortlake. The specimen, which measures 22 inches in length,
was captured at Mortlake, and resembles the ordinary typical
form in every respect except in colour, which is of a deep orange,
the head, pectoral fins, and under side being somewhat paler.
Though this variety is rare, it is not unique. Count de Castelnau,
in his notes on this eel (Proc. Zool. and Accl. Soc. Vic, vol. i.,
p. 192), says "its colours are very changeable," and that "the
dorsal and anal are often in a great part yellow." There is a
specimen in the National Museum which was obtained so far
back as December, 1872, of which a coloured sketch was made,
which is very similar to the present specimen, though not quite
so uniformly yellow. — Jas. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., Curator Zool.
Dept. Nat. Mus.

Australian Spiders. — At a recent meeting of the Zoological
Society of London, Mr. R. I. Pocock, the new superintendent of
the society's gardens, called attention to a remarkable habit of
some Australian spiders belonging to the genus Desis. These
spiders, he stated, live in the crevices of rocks between tide-marks
on the shore, and by spinning a closely woven sheet of silk over
the entrance, imprison a mass of air, in which they are able to
live during high tide.

A.A.A.S. — The tenth congress of the Australasian Association
for the Advancement of Science was held at Dunedin, N.Z.,
in January last, and was well attended both by scientists and
interested visitors. Unfortunately the gathering was somewhat
marred by wet weather. The president. Professor David, of
Sydney, delivered the inaugural address, in which he traced the
aims and ideas of the association, and spoke of the necessity for
more endowments for research fellowships in Australia. He
hoped that men who had obtained their wealth through the
application of science to nature would devote some of their
wealth to such endowments. It was decided to hold the next
meeting in Adelaide in September, 1906, and Professor Baldwin
Spencer, F.R.S., was elected president for that meeting.

Mr. C. French, F.L.S., Government Entomologist, has recently
been elected a Fellow of the Entomological Society of London,
and also a member of the Society of Economic Entomology of
America.

Commencing with the January number, increased space in
Knowledge will be devoted to microscopy, which will be under
the editorship of Mr. F. Shillington Scales, F.R.M.S., a well-
known writer on this subject.

Cbe Uktorian naturalisi

Vol. XX.— No. 11. MARCH 10. 1904. No. 243.

FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in the Royal
Society's Hall on Monday evening, 8th February, 1904.

Mr. D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., one of the vice-presidents,
occupied the chair, and about 100 members and visitors were
present.

REPORTS.

An interesting report of the Club's excursion to Yan Yean
Reservoir on Foundation Day, Monday, ist February, was read
by the leader, Mr. J. Shephard. He stated that about twelve
members took part in the outing, and were accompanied by Mr.
Ritchie, assistant engineer of water supply, who greatly facilitated
the operations of the members. The party divided into sections,
some to work along the banks for plants, others took the boat in
order to use the tow net for surface specimens and the drag-
hook for submerged plants, while another section gave their
attention to the search for fossils. The results of the day's work
were embodied in a series of reports dealing with the material
obtained, which showed that a very profitable as well as enjoyable
day had been spent.

The hon. librarian reported the receipt of the following
donations to the library: — "Annual Report of Botanical Gardens,
Sydney, for 1902," by J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., Director, from the
Department of Lands and Agriculture, New South Wales ;
Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales, January, 1904, from
the Secretary for Agriculture, Sydney; "Contributions to the
Queensland Flora," by J. F. Bailey, F.L.S., Government Botanist,
Brisbane, from the author; pamphlets from the Government
Entomologist, Sydney; a.nd Knowledge, January, 1904, from the
proprietors.

ELECTIONS.

On a ballot being taken. Dr. J. R. M. Thomson, Mt. Alex-
ander-road, Essendon ; Dr. Wilfred Kent-Hughes, 22 Collins-
street, Melbourne ; Rev. James Rickard, Congregational Church,
Brighton ; and Miss Alice Armstrong, Balwyn-road, Canterbury,
were duly elected members of the Club.

PAPERS.

I. By Mr. Jas. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., entitled "Notes on
Colour- Variations of two Species of Victorian Butterflies."

142 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

The author described four dark varieties of the male of
Heteronympha merope, Fabr., which he collected in Gippsland,
and alluded to a very dark form of the female of the same species
which he saw at the same time. This, he considered, agreed with
the female described by the late F. A. Skuse as var. suffusa.
He also described a very dark variety of the male of H. philerope,
Boisd., and added some notes on the variation of ihis species,
questioning, at the same time, the advisability of giving varietal
names to such varieties.

The chairman, in speaking to the paper, alluded to the diffi-
culty of determining when a variety is sufficiently distinct to be
entitled to a varietal name.

2. Reports on the Buffalo Mountains Camp-out.

Mr. G. Coghill read a detailed report dealing generally with
the Club's camp-out on the Buffalo Mountains, which extended
from 24th December, 1903, to 4th January, 1904. The party
numbered altogether twenty-six, including eleven ladies, and
notwithstanding the discomforts occasioned by the wet weather, a
thoroughly enjoyable outing was spent. The ten days were fully
occupied in exploring the surrounding country, where the collec-
tors in the party found plenty to interest them, and especially
those who visited the district for the first time. The opportunity
was taken by two members of the party to extend their explora-
tions to Mount Bogong, the highest point in Victoria.

Reports were given on the following subjects : — Ornithology,
by Miss McHaffie ; entomology, by Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S.;
pond life, by Mr. J. Shephard ; Crustacea, by Mr. O. A. Sayce ;
and botany, by Mr. G. Weindorfer.

A number of lantern views illustrating various localities and
incidents of the trip were exhibited.

The chairman congratulated the members of the excursion on
the good results of their outing. Messrs. F. G. A. Barnard and
C. Coles also spoke.

3. By Mr. G. Weindorfer, entitled " Notes on the Origin of the
Alpine Flora."

The author took advantage of the observations made during
his visit to the Buffalo Mountains and Mount Bogong to sum-
marize the theories of different authors on the origin of our
alpine flora, and whether it had been affected by a glacial period,
and showed how the latter would account for certain resem-
blances in the floras of Australia and Tasmania with those of
the Chatham Islands and southern South America.

NATURAL HISTORY NOTES.

Mr. G. A. Keartland mentioned that on the 30th January last
he visited the Melton district with some friends, taking with

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 143

them a pointer dog, their object being to ascertain how far quail-
breeding had advanced. He found great numbers of young
birds and eggs. Out of about ten brace of adult birds flushed, all
but three or four were disturbed from either eggs or chickens.
Many coveys of young quail just able to fly were seen, whilst in
other cases, when the old bird rose, there was a scatter of little
ones like balls of down, not more than two or three days old.
Fully ten young ones were seen for every old bird flushed.

Mr. J, Shephard drew attention to a report in the daily press,
detailing very large numbers of native birds which had been col-
lected from various parts of Australia for export to Europe.

EXHIBITS.

By Mr. F. G. A. Barnard. — Specimen of shrub, Cassinia theo-
dori, from Yan Yean.

By Mr. A. Coles. — Mounted specimen of a sport of the Warbling
Grass-Parrakeet, Melopsittacus undulatus.

By Mr. C Coles. — Skin of Blue Wren, Malurus cyaneus,
exhibiting the change of plumage.

By Miss S. W. L. Cochrane. — Painting of flowers of the Scarlet-
flowering Gum, Eucalyptus Jicifolia, of Western Australia.

By Miss K. Cowle. — Dried specimen of Pultenma villosa, from
Launching Place, S. division of Victoria ; hitherto recorded only
from S.W.

By Mr. G. Coghill. — Collection of insects, chiefly Coleoptera,
collected during the Buffalo Mountains camp-out.

By Mr. C. French, jun. — Beetles collected by Messrs. D. Best
and C. French, jun., on the Victorian Alps, viz. : — Diphucephala
elegans, Blkb. ; D. pulchella, Westw. ; and D. frenchii, Blkb.,
(n. sp.) _

By Miss M'Haflie. — Nest of Scarlet-breasted Robin, Petrceca
leggii, Sharpe, collected during Buffalo Mountains camp-out.

By Mr. A. D. Hardy. — Drawings of several Desmids and other
Algse, together with microscopical slides of same ; also Potomage-
ton ohtusum, Nitella, sp., and a Water Spider, from Yan Yean
excursion.

By Mr. T. S. Hart, M.A. — Specimen of beetle, Rhipidocera
mystacinalis, from Mt. Buninyong, Victoria.

By Mr. Jas. A. Kershaw, F.E.S. — Specimens of dark varieties
of Heteronympha marope, Fabr., and H. philerope, Boisd., from
Gippsland, in illustration of his paper.

By Mr. J. Shephard. — Photos, of views taken during the Buffalo
Mountains camp-out.

By Mr. G. Weindorfer. — Dried specimens of plants collected
during the Buffalo Mountains camp-out.

After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated.

144 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

THE BUFFALO MOUNTAINS CAMP-OUT.
Thursday, 24th December, 1903, to Monday, 4th January,

1904.
Although ray name does not appear on the excursion list as one
of the leaders of the Buffalo camp-out, yet through force of
circumstances I came to occupy that position, and therefore have
to give some short account of the outing. When the idea of a
" camp-out " at the Buffalo Mountains was suggested some
months ago by Dr. Sutton and Mr. Barnard in a paper descriptive
of a Christmas collecting trip which included a visit to the
Buffalo Gorge, it was thought that the distance from Melbourne
(nearly 200 miles) and the time required for such an excursion
would prove difficulties in the way of getting a representative
party from the Club, besides which the character of the country
to be visited added further difficulties. However, inquiries were
made of a local guide as to the probable cost, &c., and on this
being announced several names were handed in as probable
starters ; the list grew, and finally a party of twenty-two, including
eleven ladies, left Melbourne by the early morning train on
Thursday, 24th December last, for Porepunkah, the nearest station
to our destination. Some of the ladies on arrival at Spencer-street
Station, and claiming seats in the compartments reserved for the
Field Naturalists' Club were scarcely believed by the porters, who
had evidently formed quite a different idea as to the appearance
of a field naturalist. We travelled very comfortably as far as
Wangaratta ; here we had to change trains, and, to be all together,
chose a covered truck, which proved rather dirty and decidedly
rough. On our way we were interested in seeing the large fields
of golden grain, ripe and ready for the harvest. Many of these
same fields on our return journey had been badly discoloured by
the heavy rains in the interval.

On arrival at Porepunkah we were met by our guide, Mr. Jas.
Manfield, jun., and greeted iby a telegram from the president of
the Club wishing us a pleasant trip and the compliments of the
season. Quite an imposing array of traps, evidently collected from
all the district round, was waiting to convey us and our belongings
to " Ernani," Mr. Manfield's home at the foot of the mountain —
a 4-roomed house, where twenty of us were accommodated that
night. The gentlemen occupied the barn, sleeping on improvised
beds of wire-netting stretched over logs. Mr. Weindorfer,
eager to be early at work, accompanied by Mr. Roy Felstead,
pushed on for the summit of the mountain that evening. Three
members set out for the Eurobin Falls, some two miles up the
stream, missed their way, did not see the Falls, and were too
late for the good dinner the rest of the party enjoyed. Others
were content to explore the creek, bathe, and generally amuse
themselves as they were severally inclined.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 145

One member having a sprained ankle, and wishing to ride,
reduced our pack-horses by one-third, consequently our persona
baggage had to be kept down to very small limits, which caused
some of the party much labour in deciding what to take and what
to leave behind. Unfortunately, through carelessness of the pack-
boys, much of this luggage was a long time reaching its owners on
the mountain.

Friday (Christmas) morning, 2 5lh December, we had breakfast
before 6 o'clock, and the walkers (15 in number) started off in
good spirits for their climb of over 3,000 feet, the riding party
coming on later. We crossed the Eurobin on stepping-stones,
and got over the steepest though not the most difficult part of
the climb before we realized it as such. Mr. Kernot encouraged
us every little while by telling us how high we had ascended
according to his barometer. •

At length we reached the granite country and were actually on
the Buffalo. Then what a change in the flora ! I could not resist
the temptation to leave the track and search amongst the flower-
covered rocks, noting many plants new to me, and various old
friends in unusually rich garb. Here I collected several beetles,
noting especially a Curculio which was found only on the white
flowers of Grevillea parviflora. Most of the party met at the
mountain stream close to the first rocks, and here the horses, with
an extra member, Mr. Gerrand, caught up to us. All enjoyed a
rest and the delightfully cool water, and started off refreshed, but
we should have had a substantial meal and a longer rest. Future
parties should bear this in mind. The track now followed round
the northern end of the mountain, and presently the climbing is
somewhat stiff, as the path with some steep pinches winds between
the huge rocks — an uncomfortable country for nervous riders.
Beautiful little mountain streams crossed the track every here and
there ; near one of these I collected several rather good Longicorn
beetles from the flowers of an Aster.

The top of the mountain was reached, in my case at least,
without my knowledge, and it will be many a day before I forget
my first glimpse of the " tundra " country in front of Carlile's
Hospice. Here were flowers of all colours and kinds. Though
the last of the party, I could not hurry through such a rich
collecting field. A walk of about a mile brought us to our
camp, just before reaching which we got the first glimpse of
the glorious view from the Buffalo Gorge into the valley below,
and across to Bogong, with Kosciusko in the distance. The
camp was within fifty feet of the edge of the Gorge, and consisted
of a slab hut, in which seven ladies slept, a canvas tent-house for
eight men, a dining tent, two of Mr. Mattingley's bell tents, and
two small tents — a really imposing settlement, excellent in fine
weather, but somewhat leaky, excepting the bell tents, in wet

146 THE VICTOKIAN NATURALIST.

weather. The beds were of wire netting and logs. We were
here about 4,500 feet above sea level.

On Saturday (26th) the botanists and three others went to the
Hump, nearly four miles from the camp, some even as far as the
Horn, about another mile and a half The day's collecting was
good, and especially so to those who were visiting the district for
the first time. I added several beetles to my collection, includ-
ing a beautiful green Scarabid, Diphiccejjhala e/egans, which
appears to be rather local. Other members, under the leader-
ship of Mr. Manfield, took a stroll to the " Haunted Gorge."

On Sunday morning (27th) three more gentlemen arrived, very
wet, bringing our total up to its highest number, twenty-six,
reduced, however, to twenty-five before nightfall by Mr. Gerrand's
departure. The rain that seemed so unfortunate really added
very much to our enjoyment, as in consequence the waterfall
was much increased in size and beauty, and the mist effects in
the Gorge, varying every moment, were something never to be
forgotten. The rolling billows of mist in the near and distant
valleys sometimes reminding us of snow and often of the sea,
more than compensated for any discomforts we experienced
earlier in the day. The three who came up in the rain were
specially enthusiastic when the lovely panorama was unfolded to
their eyes.

Monday (28th) was still showery. Some went to the " Horn,"
others were content with shorter rambles, such as to the
"Haunted" and Buffalo Gorges, the views and mist eftects
being quite different, and just as glorious, the moisture in the air
giving a softening effect to everything. In the afternoon
Mr. G. Weindorfer and Dr. Sutton started off for their trip to
Bogong.

Tuesday (29th) was fine, and a good thing too ! Wet weather is
well enough with such views, but all were glad to see the sun
again. On this day we visited the " Look-out " Rock, near
Carlile's, climbed the swinging ladder to the top, and admired
the comparatively circumscribed view.

Wednesday (30th) we all, under the leadership of our guide,
went to the Horn, 5,645 feet, the highest peak of the Buffalo, and
enjoyed a long day's collecting and rambling. The view from
the Horn is far-reaching and superb, the grandest many of us
had ever seen. On our return some of the party went over the
" Hump," and had a look at the " Leviathan " Rock, which is said
to be the largest detached rock in Australia. It is tilted well off
the ground in front, and under it the cattle camp. It is said to
measure 150 feet long, 75 feet high, and 60 feet broad. This
portion of the party went back by a different track, and were at
the camp some time before the main body. Unfortunately the
day did not pass without accident, as Miss Cowle fell and
sprained her ankle.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 147

Thursday (31st) was spent in short walks round about the
camp, and during the day we said good-bye to Mr. Gossler. Then
we had to prepare for the evening's bonfire, under the direction of
the Messrs. Summers. Long will we all remember that New
Year's Eve, with its impromptu programme of songs and recita-
tions, a charade, the re-incarnation of the Buffalo and the Haunted
Gorge ghost, speeches, singing of " Auld Lang Syne," and supper.
The glorious night, the eerie position, with its weird outlook,
and the jolly company combined in making an effect never
to be forgotten.

Friday (ist January, 1904) was mostly spent in resting after
the exertions of the previous evening. We said good-bye to Mr.,
Mrs., and Miss Shephard, Miss Shaw, and Mr. Mathieson. An
attempt was made to go to the " Leviathan " Rock, but we only
got a little beyond Carlile's when, as rain threatened, we had to
return. Having collected a pair of Buprestid beetles on Richea
gunnii, and being anxious to secure more, I stayed behind, and
succeeded in getting several, but also got a drenching. This
beetle proves to be a rarity.

During our absence Mr. Weindorfer paid a flying visit to the
camp to show that he had returned from Bogong, and to say
good-bye.

It rained all Friday night, and Saturday was almost equally wet,
still two or three enthusiasts went out collecting.

On Sunday morning rain was still falling. However, about 10
o'clock the weather cleared, and we started for lower levels, with
many a regret for having to leave the Buffalo, ten days there
seeming far too short.

On reaching the creek that tumbles down the Gorge we turned
aside to have a last look at the waterfall, and the sight well repaid
us. Here the rain began again, and continued for the rest of the
day. The "tundra" in front of Carlile's was practically under
water, so that dry feet, not to mention legs, were out of the
question. Slippety-slop down that mountain we went, occasionally
measuring our length, but merry withal. The Eurobin Creek, we
crossed so easily on our journey up, was now a swollen torrent,
and we had to make a detour to find a log high enough to form a
bridge.

At "Ernani" we met some of the others who had come down
before, all nice and dry, and ready to practically welcome us with
spare clothes. Then ensued such a drying of garments.

On Monday morning, 4th January, eighteen of us left Pore-
punkah by the early train (5 a.m.), and mid-day saw most of us in
the city again, where we were met by Messrs. Weindorfer,
Shephard, and Mathieson, whose kindly welcome we much
appreciated.

Everybody enjoyed themselves, judging by the regrets expressed

148 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

at leaving and wishes for a longer stay. Our vice-president, Mr.
F. G, A. Barnard, is to be congratulated on the result of his
suggestion that Mr. J. Manfield, jun., be asked to undertake the
management of the camp, and our thanks are due to the latter
for his untiring efforts to provide for our wants ; also to Mr, A.
Mattingley for the loan of two of his tents, and we sincerely
regretted that business prevented him from being with us.

The following are the names of the members and friends com-
prising the first camping-out party from the Field Naturalists' Club
of Victoria to visit the Buffalo Mountains : — Mesdames Coghill
and Shephard, Dr. Gert. Halley, Misses K. Cowle, Felstead (2),
McHaffie, Mclnnes, Shaw, Shephard, and Wingrove, Dr. Sutton,
Messrs. Blackett, Felstead (2), Gerrard, Gossler, Kernot,
Mathieson, J. Shephard, Summers (2), and Tilly, Master J.
Tuckett, with Messrs. Coghill and Weindorfer as leaders.

I am indebted to my co-leader, Mr. G. Weindorfer, for the
botanical report of the trip ; to Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., for a
list of the beetles collected ; to Mr. R. A. Bastow for the names
of the mosses, &c., collected by Miss K. Cowle ; to Miss
McHafhe for notes on the birds observed ; and to Mr. J.
Shephard and Mr. O. A. Sayce for some notes on the pond-life.

Ornithology. — In the following notes I have included the
principal birds observed during the " camp-out " at Mt. Buffalo : —

Uroa'etus midax, Wedge-tailed Eagle. — Occasionally seen on
the ranges, but not numerous anywhere.

Coroiie australis, Raven. — Observed a flock of about eight or
ten flying backwards and forwards amongst the high rocky
peaks.

iStrepera ctmeicaudata, Grey Crow-Shrike. — Saw a few, and fre-
quently heard their familiar harsh double note.

Collyriocincla harmonica, Grey Shrike-Thrush. — Fairly plenti-
ful wherever the timber was thickest, and its melodious voice was
one of the first to be heard before sunrise.

Petrceca leggii, Scarlet-breasted Robin. — Very numerous every-
where, but particularly in rocky localities. Found a nest in the
crevice of a huge granite boulder, containing three eggs ; but for
the most part the birds had not finished building, a good many
nests we found being still unlined.

Malurtcs cyaneus, Blue Wren. — Numerous among the low
scrub, and appeared to be building.

Rhipidura albiscapa, White-shafted Fantail. — Not very
common. Did not find a single nest, old or new.

Geocichla lunulata, Mountain-Thrush. — Observed several
hopping about on the ground, in their search for insects through
the tangled undergrowth.

Acmithiza chrysorrhoa, Yellow-rumped Tit. — A great many

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 149

were seen hopping about the branches of the gum-trees, but no
nests found.

Sericornis osculans, Allied Scrub-Wren. — Only to be seen on
penetrating the thickest scrub, when the bird, thus disturbed,
would fly out. Probably too late for nests.

Gymnorhina leuconota, White-backed Magpie. — Not parti-
cularly abundant, and did not observe any of the Black-backed
variety.

Uopsaltria australis, Yellow-breasted Shrike-Robin. — The soft,
melodious note of this bird could be heard frequently in the
wooded gullies and along the creeks. They were building, and
were shy of approach.

Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris, Spine-billed Honey-eater. —
These honey-eaters were only just building, and we watched one
carrying pieces of bark to form its nest in a broad-leaved acacia,
and uttering a loud cry at intervals.

PtUotis lewini, Yellow-eared Honey-eater. — Only saw one or
two of these lovely birds, and they were extremely shy.

Ptilotis leucotis, White-eared Honey-eater. — Very plentiful
wherever the timber or scrub was thick, and not at all shy.
Whilst sitting on a log they hopped quite close to us in their
search for insects, regardless of our presence.

Manorhina garrula, Noisy ]Minah. — Fairly common wherever
the scrub was dense, and their noisy voices were constantly
heard.

Acanthochcera carunculata, Red-Wattle Bird.' — These were
numerous, and mostly to be heard and seen amongst the stunted
gums which grow in these alpine regions.

Zonceginthus hellus, Fire-tailed Finch. — This pretty finch was
seen in flocks of ten or twelve, mostly near watercourses and
marshy land.

Menura victorice, Lyre-bird. — Wherever it was boggy, wet,
and the vegetation much tangled, there these beautiful birds
roamed at will, nor did they seem alarmed at our intrusion into
their haunts, continuing their gambols as long as we remained
still.

Dacelo gigas, Kookaburra, Brown Kingfisher. — This quaint-
looking bird was to be heard both in the early morning and at
sunset, but it seemed to pass the greatest heat of the day amongst
the leafy foliage of the gums. Saw one in the act of swallowing
a fair-sized lizard.

Halcyon sanctus, Sacred Kingfisher. — Saw two or three, and
from their loud, shrill cries they probably had nests close at
hand.

Callocephalon galeatum, Gang-Gang Cockatoo. — Very plentiful
in the thickly timbered country, where their harsh, discordant
notes could always be heard at any time of the day.

150

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

Cacatua galerita, White Cockatoo. — This bird was only noted
once or twice on the high table-lands.

Polytelis ba^'rahandi, Green-Leek Parrakeet. — Seen occasion-
ally amongst the stunted eucalyptus or near the creeks.

Platycercus elegans, Pennant Parrakeet. — Abundant all through
the timber. Found nest containing two fledglings in a hole of a
dead eucalypt about 15 feet from the ground.

Platycercus eximius, Rosella. — Fairly common on the high
lands and in the gorges of the ranges. Did not find any nests,
but saw some young birds just able to fly.

No doubt, had we been favoured with finer weather a greater
variety of birds would have been seen. — A. F. W. McHaffie.

EntomoloCtY. — The entomological results of the Buffalo Moun-
tains excursion, collected by Mr. G. Coghill and handed to me
for identification, consist almost exclusively of Coleoptera. These
were to a large extent well-known species, but among them over
twenty species were new to the National Museum collection.
The majority of these latter have not yet been determined, and
they include several very desirable additions. Among the
Longicorns I might specially mention a nice pair of Macrones,
sp. (?), a single specimen of Ceresium simplex, and four specimens
of the small ant-like Ochyra coarctica, all of which are rare
species. A very fine series of the brilliant Biphiicephala elegans
were secured, a species which is probably confined to this class
of country. Several species of Carabidse, and a pretty little
Buprestid have, among others, proved strangers to me.

Coleoptera.
Sarothrocrepis luctuosa
,, durvillii

„ calida

Philophloeus rotundipennis
Silphomorpha suturalis
Xanthophaea grandis
Ptomaphila lachrymosa
Lemodes coccinea
Macrogyrus rivularis
Cheiroplatus maelius
Isodon australasise
Scitala rugosula
Diphucephala elegans
Msechidius mellyanus
Telura vitticoUis
Stigmodera cruentata
,, varia

,, stephensi

australasise

Stigmodera burchelli
Monocrepidius punctato-

striatus
Natalis howitti
Thanasimus tricolor
Xylotretus canaliculatus

,, obscurus

Elsale unicolor
Rhizopertha elongatula
Metriorrhynchus erythropterus
Telephorus pulchellus
CEdemera dorsalis
Allesula fuscipennis
Apasis howitti
Lepispilus sulcicollis
Titsena columbina
Pterohelseus koUari
Belus suturalis
Chrysolophus spectabilis
Pachyura australis

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 151

Cherrus infaustus Hebecerus crocogaster

Orthorrhinus cylindrirostris Omotes erosicollis

Aterpus cultratus Trichomesia newmani

Aopolocnemis rufipes Macrones (sp.)

Phoracantha quinaria (?) Enchoptera apicalis

Ceresium simplex Rhagioniorpha concolor

Callirhoe allapsa Pempsamacra dispersa
Epithora dorsalis ,, pygmsea

Callidiopsis scutellaris Adrium artifex

Ochyra coarctata Coccinella racemosa

Taken altogether, the collection, which numbers about 91
species, speaks well for the zeal and interest of Mr. Coghill.

J AS. A. Kershaw.

Pond-Life. — In the immediate vicinity of the camp was a
creek, running down a rugged gully, which on the first days of
our vibit was a chain of small waterholes, and an investigation
resulted in the capture of some crustacean forms, regarding which
Mr. O. A. Sayce reports as follows : —

" The bottle of specimens collected by you from a creek at
' Haunted Gorge,' on the summit of Mount Buffalo, contained
two species of sessile-eyed crustaceans. One is an Isopod,
Phreatoicus australis, Chilton, and belongs to a family of con-
siderable morphological and physiological interest, so far known
only in Australasia. Until now it has been recorded only from the
top of Mount Kosciusko, N.S.W., and Mount Wellington and
Lake Petrach, Tasmania. In the bottle were two females, each
with developing young in the marsupium, and also a number of
free very young forms. The other is an Amphipod, closely
related to the genus Niphargus of the old world, where the
various species are blind inhabitants of subterranean waters. On
close inspection I failed to find any important differences from
Neoniphargus Jultoni, Sayce, collected from an altitude of
3,000 feet near Wood's Point, except that all of the present
specimens are devoid of eyes. A more detailed examination of
this species, together with some other material in hand, will be
made when I have more time at my disposal, and communicated
in a separate paper. — O. A. Sayce."

The stream running down the Buffalo Gorge was exceedingly
clear, and only added one or two specimens, which are included
in the animals dealt with by Mr. Sayce. The flats promised
better, but owing to weather conditions yielded little. The
stream which precipitates itself over the Gorge arrives there
after meandering through a series of boggy valleys. On reaching
the upper land after the long ascent from Porepunkah the appear-
ance of flat valley bottoms with sinuous streams traversing them
is very interesting. Instead of being on a peak, as might be

152 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

expected from an inspection of the Buffalo Mountain from below,
one is on a grassy plain surrounded by small hills of granite, in
places bare of all vegetation, and studded with huge boulders.
As the journey to the Horn showed, there is a considerable
stretch of country, composed of a series of valleys, divided from
each other by small but precipitous hills, of which the Hump
and the Horn are the most striking examples. Peaty morasses
are present in all the valleys, the peat being apparently of con-
siderable thickness. This peat was very suggestive of the former
existence of a series of mountain lakes. The nearer valley to
the camp was where the " Hospice " is situated, and on the
arrival of the party presented a promising appearance to the
pond-life gatherer. A visit was, however, not made to this spot
before the heavy rains came, which filled the old pools to the
brim and created a great many more. Under these circumstances
the yield was not great. Of the Entomostraca gathered here, the
common Cylops was the most numerous, and of a number of the
Daphnia family submitted to Mr. J. F. Haase he recognized
Chydorus leonardi and two species of Alona. Desmids were
fairly plentiful, and under normal conditions of rainfall this would
no doubt prove a prolific collecting ground. It was curious that
not a single Rotifer was seen, this also being due to the flooding
of the pools with rain water. — J. Shephard.

Botany. — The wonderful poesy which the world of the Alps
presents in its springtime is strange to the inhabitants of the
lowlands. One who visits the Australian Alps at Christmas
will find, in comparison with the vegetation of lower altitudes,
that the plant-life has not as far advanced, nature there pre-
senting us with an awakening spring, which has again and again
filled the hearts of men with greatest delight. But spring in the
Alps must be seen not only from the depths of the valleys —
it must be viewed from the heights of the mountains, for there is
the kingdom of the Alpine flowers, where beauty of form is
competing with splendour of colour or perfume.

As our arrival at Porepunkah, the nearest railway station to
our destination, took place late in the afternoon of the 24th
December, not much could be done that day in the way of
collecting. The road, which crosses the valleys of the Ovens and
the Buckland Rivers, leads for three miles through more or less
uninteresting country. Bushes of Ilymenanthera hanksii, in
company with some of Acacia pravissima, Bnrsaria spinosa,
and Prostanthera lasiantha, lining the cultivated paddocks, give an
impression which does not seem to promise much for the botanist.
Half-way to the Eurobin we enter the forest, here consisting chiefly
of Eucalyptus amygdalina, E. melliodora^ and E. gnnni, while
the under-shrub was represented by Exocarpus stricta, E.
cvpressiformis, Aster aster otrichus, and Leptospermum lanigerum,

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. ' 153

under the branches of which here and there appeared Lomatia
ilici/olia and the orchid Dipodiicm ptmctatum, both of which
continue all the way up as far as the Gorge.

Our first halt was at our guide's homestead, " Ernani," situated
at the foot of a spur from the mountain, and up which the bridle
track leads to the Buffalo table-land. Two miles from this
charmingly situated spot, on the banks of the Eurobin, a change
from the silurian to the granitic formation takes place, and we find,
with the appearance of GreviUea parvijtora, Hibhertia serpild/olia,
AstrotricJia ledifolia., Veronica denventia, Pullencea mollis, Caly-
cothrix tetragona, and Tracliijmene billardieri, a striking change
in the vegetation, which here, in the black soil saturated with
water, shows a luxuriant growth. The higher we ascend the more
the plants of the lowlands disappear, being gradually replaced by
alpine forms. Goodeitia hederacea, almost clinging to the rocks,
is one of the first of the alpine plants to greet us. The de-
clivities burst forth in splendour under the bright yellow-flowering
Oxylobium alpestre, accompanied by Daviesia ullcina and D.
latifolia, while the white-flowering Pimelea lini/olia, the pink-
petalled Tetratheca ciliata, T, ericifolia, CandoUea serridata, and
Erythrcea australis, the azure blue bell of Wahlenbergia gracilis,
with Stackhousia viminalis and other lowland forms, which, in
spite of the great climatic differences, succeed in ascending to
these higher altitudes, each contributes its share to the harmony
in the gradation of colour.

But all this splendour and magnificence is only an introduction
to the kingdom of the apine flowers which nature presents to us
at a height of 4,500 feet above sea-level, and involuntarily we
put the question, " What is it which induces all these plants to
enjoy their life in these lofty altitudes ? " It looks as if a number
of selected species had combined in order to enjoy their existence
far from the destructive hand of man ; or as if their proud
relatives in the valleys had banished their dwarfed sisters to the
barren heights of alpine regions.

With the first view of the Buffalo Hospice we set our feet on a
green carpet, interwoven with the greatest variety of colours in
flowering plants. The blooms of Ranunctdns muelleri, Ilnanaca
hydrocotylea, and the pale straw-coloured flowers of Caliha
iniraloba— the first messengers of the alpine spring — have dis-
appeared, and made room for others ; Herpolirion novce-zealandice
scatters its star-like flowers over the sunny meadow land ; at the
edges of the rocks Kunzea muelleri exposes its light yellow, and
Kunzea parvifolia its purple flowers to the sunbeams ; on the
banks of the creek we met with the orchids Prasophyllum
fuscum and Thelymitra ixioides, the sky-blue flowering Veronica
nivcea, Comesperma rettisum, Cardamine dyctiosperma, and
Drosera peltata. In marshy ground appear Goodenia gracilis,

154 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

Aciphylla simplicicaidis, and Gentiaiia saxosa, its single white
flowers pencilled with lines of a tender blue, while Azorella
cu7ieifolia, PuUencea J'asciculata, Goodenia humilis, Scleranthiis
bijloris, Hydrocotyle hirsula, Copros7na nertera, Oreu7nyr'rhis
andicola, and Sccevola hookeri may be found almost hidden
under the grasses, of which we enumerate Echinopogon ovatua,
Agroatis montana, Festuca hookeri, and Trisetum siibspicaiuni,
with Luxula camjKstris (Juncacese) and Carex jmnicidala
(Cyperaceae) in bloom. Large white patches are formed by
the almost stalkless flowers of Claytonia australasica. In large
clusters occurred the singular epacrid Richea gunnii, with
its pale yellow flowers, often accompanied by Helichrysuvi
haccharoides. Where the embankments of the creek are narrowed
by gigantic rocks— the first precursors of the far-famed Gorge —
the meadow-like character loses itself among numerous bushes
which form the transition to a forest, chiefly consisting of
Eucalyptus gunnii, E. sieberiana, and E. melliodora.

Eriostemon aJpinus stands with its yellow flowers in har-
monious contrast to the pink-flowering Boronia algida and
Bceckea gun7iiana, or to the white-flowering Prostanthera cuneaia
and Westringia senifolia, among which we often notice the star-
like yellow flowers of Stypandra ca^spitosa, and Podolepis
longipedata, also Boickea diffusa, Micrantheitm hexandrum
(seed), and Bossicea foliosa (seed). We experienced great satis-
faction in noticing Prostanthera walteri growing in great pro-
fusion near the Gorge, in the locality where a single bush was
found in bloom the year before (^Victorian Naturalist, vol. xix.,
p. 156), but so far as we could ascertain it is confined to this
particular locality.

From there our way led through the forest to the camp,
situated on the edge of the Gorge. The afternoon was mostly
spent in preparing the camp and preserving the specimens
collected. The following day was reserved for a visit to the
" Haunted Valley " and the " Hump," which actually turned out
for three members of the party to be a visit to the Buffalo Peak,
or the " Horn," about two miles beyond the Hump.

In the numerous swamps which we met with on our way we
found more or less a repetition of the flora surrounding the
Buffalo Hospice. A surprise was prepared for us in the Haunted
Valley, where we met with one of our few Victorian conifers,
Nageia alpina, growing luxuriantly along the creek, in company
of splendidly developed bushes of Driniys aromatica, Orites
lancifolia, the purple-flowering Prostanthera rotundifolia, and
the pompous Pinielea ligustrina, in the shade of which Epacris
mucronulata, E. heieronema, and Comesper^na retusam, with the
ferns Lomaria alpina and Aspleniuvi Jlabellifolium, made them-
selves conspicuous. As we ascended to higher altitudes, the

THIS VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 155

vegetation became more and more gorgeous, and we noticed
plants in bud or in full bloom which lower down showed signs of
further advancement. Dianella tasmanica, with its dark blue
coloured flowers, GaiiUiera hispida, Styphelia montana,
and Grevillea parvijiora, which we found in fruit near the camp,
had there just expanded their flowers.

On ascending the waterless slope which leads to the table-land
from which the Hump rises, we leave behind many of the bushes
which require a considerable amount of moisture in the soil.
Their place is worthily taken by bushes of one of our most
beautiful proteads, Grevillea victorue. The number of species in
these high altitudes (about 5,500 feet) becomes more and more
restricted ; but, on the other hand, development in the
splendour of flowers is gained. In the swamp which extends on
the southern side of the Hump we added to our collection
Astelia alpina and the dull purplish variety of the orchid
Chiloglottiii gunnii, blooming there in great masses, in dry soil ;
Gnaphalium alpigiueum, Micrantheum hexandrum, and Hovea
hetei'ophylla. The nearer we approached the Horn we met with
Bossicea foliosa richer in flower, lining our way on both sides with
its beautiful masses of yellow flowers, on which thousands of
insects found the table laid for their meal.

Near the top of the mount on the warmer northern slope
we collected Hovea heterojyJiylla, Gaultiera hispida, Drimys
aromatica, Trachymene hillardieri, Brachycome scapijormis, B.
nivalis, and Aster stellulatus, ; while on the cooler southern side,
exposed to wind and weather, grew Aciphylla glacialis, a true
child of our alpine flora, enjoying there the eternal peace which
imparts that majestic character to the lofty altitudes of alpine
regions, where we can see expanding at our feet the proofs of the
creative power of nature during uncountable ages.

The proposed trip along the Buffalo River over Mount Howitt
and Mount BuUer to Mansfield by Dr. Sutton, Mr. Gossler, and
myself was made impossible owing to the heavy rainfall during
Sunday and Monday. Being obliged to stay in camp for these
two days, we had ample time to busy ourselves with the collected
specimens and to take short rambles around the camp. During
these opportunities we observed Helichrysii^m stirlingii, which
has been known as a rare north-eastern plant, growing on the road
from Harrietville to Mount St. Bernard. In the Buffalo Moun-
tains it is far from rare, forming, in company with Gaultiera
hispida, Daviesia latifolia, Callistemon salignus, Lepiospermitin
scoparium, and Helichrysum rosmarinifolium, the undergrowth of
a fine forest, in the shade of which grew Helichrysum luciduni,
Hibberiia serpilli folia, //. difusa, Comesperma ericinum,
Eriostemon phylicifolius, E. trymalioides, Pultencaa gunnii,
and the orchids Gastrodia sesamoides and Caladenia carnea.

156 THK VICTOKIAN NATURALIST.

On the perpendicular sides of the Gorge, in any cleft where a
little soil has lodged, the hardy Aster cehnisia has found a home,
forming there, with its large white flowers, a striking contrast to
the dark walls of the Gorge.

VISIT TO MOUNT BOGONG.

Having secured a great number of specimens during the four days
of our slay in the Buffalos, I welcomed a proposal from Dr. Sutton
to pay a visit to Mount Bogong, some thirty miles away, which in
the distance appeared both majestic and imposing, and seemed
to challenge us to explore and carry off its botanic treasures.
For that reason we both left for " Ernani," on the Eurobin, on
Monday evening, the 28th. Tuesday, the 29th, saw us early in
the morning making our way on horseback, vid Porepunkah, to
Bright, where we made the acquaintance of a gentleman from the
Kiewa Valley, in whose company we rode to Tawonga. The
road leads from Bright about three miles along the Ovens River,
through partly cultivated land, and is lined on both sides with
bushes of Acacia pravissima, among which an occasional
flowering Bursaria spinosa may be seen. The road crosses the
Ovens, and we then ascend the range which separates the Ovens
from the Kiewa Valley. On this road, which leads for about
three miles along the German Creek, we met with a great variety
of plant life. The creek vegetation consisted mostly of familiar
bushes, such as Zieria smithii, Atlierosperma moscltatum, Aster
argojjhylhis, Pf'ostanthera lasiantha, Cryj^ta^idra liookeri, &c.,
here and there overlooked by the light green fronds of the Valley
Tree-Fern, Dicksonia billardieri. From where we leave the
creek, both sides of this beautifully constructed road were covered
with a mass of Persoonia chamaepeiice, Veronica derweidia,
Lomatia ilicijolia, different species of Senecio, Cassinia longi-
folio, C. aculeat'i, Gompholobium huegelii, Grevillea alpina,
Co2Jrosi)ia billardieri, and Daviesia ulicina.

After a ride of twenty-five miles we arrived at a cattle
station in the Kiewa Valley, the nearest house to Bogong, whose
hospitable owner, a Mr. Duane, was kind enough to invite us to
a " shake-down " for the night.

As it was a distance of fourteen miles from here to the top of
Mount Bogong, we had to make an early start the next morning,
and were guided by our host, who kindly undertook to put us on
to the only possible ascent of Bogong from this side. Our way
went along numerous paddocks, in which stood here and there
gxon^s oi iXQQS oi Eucalyptus amygdalina, the remnants of the
original forests left by the bush-clearing settler. After a two
miles ride the outrunners or spurs of Mount Bogong became
narrower, and we entered a rich under-shrub, chiefly consisting of
Leptospertnuin lanigerum, Hymenaatliera banksii, Acacia pravis-

THE VICTORIAN NATDRALIST. 157

sima, Kunzea pedtcnailaris, Pimelea axiflora, Exoearpus cupres-
sijormis, Omphacoineria acerba, Banksia collina, and Hakea
microcarpa. We observed a few trees of Banksia integrifolia
(which is not recorded for the north-east in the " Key "), also
Acacia melanoxylon, A. jjromineiis, and A. dealbata. At a
distance of six miles from our starting point we left the under-
shrub, which occasionally was interrupted by creeks, with a
splendid development of fern life, and began our climb along a
spur rising at about 30 to 45°, whicli was covered with a forest
of Eucalyptus sieheriana. This route is occasionally used by
travelling stock, and shows here and there traces of a track.
However, fallen trees across the back of the small spur and
boulders of rocks made riding impossible.

At the foot of the spur and on the waterless declivity of the
sub-alpine region the vegetation was not very promising. We
met there with Acacia penninervis, Persoonia confertijlora^ Lomatia
ilicfolia, Daviesia latijolia, D, ulicina, Veronica derweniia, and
Haloragis tetragona, to which we added in higher elevations
Goodenia hederacea, Dianella tasmanica, and Candollea serr'ulata.
At an elevation of about 5,000 ft. we entered the snow-gum scrub,
Eibcalyjitus coriacea, which was there interspersed with GreviUea
Victoria! (better developed in its flowers than on the Buffalos),
Acacia alpina, A. penninervis, Bossicea foliosa, and Pimelea
ligustrina. About i o'clock we arrived at the cairn, 6,508 ft.
above sea-level. Here we were surrounded by a dense fog, only
occasionally allowing a view of other mountains or down into the
valley.

The proper alpine region of Mt. Bogong is, at its west side,
not very rich in the variety of plant-growth. The plateau around
the cairn shows no compact mass of vegetation. Bunches of
grasses alternate with large spots of barren ground, sometimes
interrupted by a white cluster formed by so many flowers of
Claytonia australasica or the Victorian Eidelvveiss, Leontopodium
catipes, both of which species were there well developed. On
the slope between the tree-line and the table-land, where water
occasionally percolates through the rocks, we met with Pimelea
alpina and P. axijiora var. alpina, GreviUea australis,
Helichrysum leucopsidium, Bracliycome scapiformis, B. nivalis,
Aster 7nyrsinoides, A. celmisia, Oxylohium procumbens, Styphelia
montana, and Euphrasia brownii, the last-named species very
rich in its flowers.

Neither the anticipated botanical result nor the view which we
expected to have got from Mt. Bogong could induce us to a
longer stay, and so we started on our return journey shortly after
2 p.m., and arrived at the cattle station in the Kiewa Valley at
7.30, where we again took shelter for the night.

On Thursday morning, 31st December, we made our way

158 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

back to the Eurobin, and while crossing the paddocks in the
Kiewa Valley were not a little astonished to find growing there,
in uncountable masses, and in perfect development, the some-
what rare orchid Spiranthes australis. Returning the same way
to Bright, we collected on the road Senecio bedfordii,
Arthropodiuin panicidatum, which grew there in great quantities,
Hibhertia diffusa, Platylobixmi Jbrniosiini, Thysanotus tuberosns,
Lomatia ilicifolia, L. longifolia, Lobelia simplicicaidis,
Cynoglossiini siiaveolens, Caladenia paiersonii, and Finielea
curvijlora.

We arrived at " Ernani " about 7 p.m., and spent the greater
part of the evening in arranging our specimens. Friday,
the ist January, was devoted to an examination of the Eurobin
Creek, which we followed as far as the Ladies' Bath and the
Eurobin Falls close by. The banks of the creek bear there a
luxuriant vegetation, m.ostly consisting of underwood such as the
white-flowering BcEckea crenatifolia, Dodoncea viscosa, Lomatia
longifolia, Aster argoj)hyllus, Cryptandra hookeri, the blue-
flowering Indigo/era anstralis, and Pimelea axiflora, over which
frequently rise some trees of Acacia implexa. Under their shelter
grew Isotoma axillaris, Viola liederacea, and V. betonicifolia
(which occur almost anywhere in the Buff"alos), Lotus corniculatus,
I^yonsia straminea, Pimelea humilis, in moist places Drosera
binata, Utricularia dichotoma, besides many species common to
other parts of the State. We noticed, with great admiration, the
fern Osmu')ida bai^bara growing, splendidly developed, along the
creek.

In the afternoon I decided to pay a short visit to the camp on
top of the Gorge, in order to bid good-bye to my fellow-excur-
sionists. I chose for this stroll the shorter way, vid the Ladies'
Bath and up the south wall of the Gorge, which is in its lower
part densely covered with shrubs, such as Trachymene billardieri,
Dodo7uea viscosa, Pultemta mollis, Acacia penninervis, and
Correa lawrenciana, which are higher up mostly replaced by
HelichrysuTn stirlingii, Gaidtiera hispida, Oxylubium, alpestre,
and Acacia alpina. With regard to all the Acacias observed, I
may mention that their principal glory had departed, as we found
no specimens in bloom ; their flowering season for this locality
was over, and all specimens were in fruit. Several species of
Mosses and Lichens were found specially well developed in the
alpine regions, specimens of which have been submitted to Mr.
Bastow by Miss Cowle for identification.

Our excursion to the Buffaios turned out very successful from a
botanical point of view. Nearly 300 species were observed in
bloom, but I have mentioned only the more interesting ones,
plebeians such as Gallium, australe or Ranunculus lappaceus
being, on principle, omitted. May this excursion serve as an

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 159

inducement for other of our members to collect and study our
highly interesting alpine flora, of which each visitor to the Alps
cannot fail to say that here richness of colour and beauty of form
exist such as only Nature herself has the power to think out and
create. — G. Weindorfer.

Cryptogamic Botany. — Among the mosses, hepatics, and
lichens collected by Miss Kate Cowle, I have been able to
identify the following species : —

Mosses. — Hypnum cerviculatum. Hook, and Wils.; Bartramia
afhnis. Hook.; Leptotheca gaudichaudii, Schwr. ; Bartramia
comosa. Mitt.; Bryum brachyurus, Hmpe.; Sphagnum cristatum,
Hmpe.; Thuidium furfurosura. Hook, and Wils.; Hypnum ruta-
bulum, Lin.; Bryum; Polytrichum commune, Lin., also along-
growing variety of P. commune amongst Sphagnum.

Hepatics. — Chiloseyphus sinuosus, Nees, with Lepidozia
patentissima. Hook., the latter very minute ; Lepidozia cupres-
sina, Lindberg ; Jungermannia colorata, Lehman.

Lichens. — Parmelia perforata, Wulf ; Cladonia pyxidata,
Cladonia aggregata, Ach.; Parmelia (conspersa?), Usnea bar-
bata, L., var. dasypoga. — R. A. Bastow.

The excursion having been such a success should warrant a
similar camp being formed another Christmas in the real Alps, at
the higher altitude of Mount St. Bernard or Mount Hotham,
where no doubt an equally profitable and enjoyable time could
be spent. — Geo. Coghill.

EXCURSION TO YAN YEAN RESERVOIR.

About twelve members met at Spencer-street Station on Founda-
tion Day, Monday, ist February, for a visit to the Yan Yean
Reservoir, the main storage basin of the water supply for the
metropolis. The party was accompanied by Mr. E. G. Ritchie,
Assistant Engineer of Water Supply, and the Club is indebted to
him for his assistance in facilitating the operations of its members
on this occasion. On arrival at the reservoir, lunch was disposed
of, and a section of the party commenced a search for flowering
plants along the bank, while another section made use of the boat
in order to apply a tow net to secure the " plankton " and a drag
hook for submerged plants. The strong wind interfered consider-
ably with the success of the boating party, as it created quite
respectable waves, and no doubt very much reduced the number
of free-swimming animals near the surface. After an hour or two
of persevering application, the boating party joined the shore
section, and further search was made along the margin in the
sheltered parts. Several members made an examination of the
locality in search of fossils, meeting with fair success.

Of the zoological captures it may be said that, either owing to

160 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

the roughness of the surface or to general sterility, they were not
large in quantity. The crustacean most plentiful was a common
copepod of the genus Boekella. A fair number of Daphnia, of a
common small species, were found in the marginal gatherings.
In both open water and shore gatherings there occurred large
numbers of a protozoan of the class Infusoria and family Hetero-
tricha, which is most probably identifiable with Stentor igneus in
the motile stage, but it was not observed in its sedentary form.
The occurrence of a single form such as this in great numbers is
common in pools, and is due to the development of conditions
favourable to it in regard chiefly to food supply. In this case
there is little doubt that the unicellular plant Fleurococcus
mucosns was the pabulum. Another infusorian, of the genus
Amphileptus, was noticed, but was scarce. It was interesting to
find a single specimen of the rotifer Pedalion, sp. A small form
of the family Ploima was also in numbers, but is probably an un-
named species.

A representative of the group Arachnida was present in large
numbers as a small water mite. This is a form very commonly
found, but owing to no worker having attempted this branch of
the spider family, its name cannot be given.

Of the botanical material obtained from the reservoir itself Mr.
A. D. Hardy has handed in the following particulars : —

Owing probably to the exposed nature of the shore, such plants
as Potomageton natans, Ottelia ovalifolia, Azolla, Lemna, &c.,
usually found on fresh-water surfaces, were absent. Among the
partly submerged plants were the reed Arnndo phragmites, the
rush Juncus communis, and Triglochin procera with fruiting
spikes. Of wholly submerged plants we obtained Potomageton
obtusum and Nitella, sp., which was several feet in length, but
not in fruit. Such filamentous Algse as Spirogyra and Zygnema
grew along the margin, but could not be determined, owing to the
absence of any sign of conjugation. Of the unicellular Algse,
Fleurococcus vmcosus were visible with the aid of a pocket lens,
and appeared to form the chief food of a protozoan which was
present in large numbers. The genera of Desmidiaceas present
were, in order of frequency, Pediastrum, Micrasterias, Closterium,
Docidium, Stauraslrum, and Kirshneriella, the most beautiful
species being Pediastrum tricyclium, with individual cells grouped
in three concentric circles, all touching at the extremities of the
fronds. Among the Diatomacese the most conspicuous was
Tabellaria flocculosa (?), a zig-zag chain of rectangular frustules,
but the most numerous species was a Navicula, not yet deter-
mined.

I am indebted to Miss K. Covvle and Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S.,
for short reports on the botany and geology respectively.*— J.
Shephard.

* [These leporls will appear \i\ the next Natura/int. — Eu.]

Cbe Uictorian flaturaSisi

Vol. XX.— No. 12. APKIL 7, 1904. No. 244.

FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB OF VICTORIA.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Club was held in the Royal
Society's Hall on Monday evening, 14th March, 1904.

Mr. D. Le Souef, C.ALZ.S., vice-president, occupied the chair,
and about 55 members and visitors were present.

REPORTS.

A report of the Club excursion to Beaumaris on Saturday,
20th February, was read by the leader, Mr. F. Chapman,
A.L.S., who stated that about twelve members were present.
The condition of the tide was unfortunately unfavourable,
but by devoting their search to the small rock-pools the
party were able to secure many interesting marine forms.
Examples of the Copepoda and Ostracoda were taken, one of the
latter proving new to Victorian waters. Samples of a frothy
material washed up by the tide, collected for microscopical
examination at home, were found to be rich in living Diatomacese,
several species being recorded. •

A report of the geological excursion to Keilor on Saturday,
1 2th March, was given by the leader, Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., who,
by means of a geological map of the district and a coloured plan,
traversed in detail the spots visited, explaining at length the
different formations met with. Descriptions of the locality have
already appeared in the Naturalist, vol. x., p. 21, and vol. xiv.,
p. 52.

The hon. librarian reported the receipt of the following
donations to the library.— "Proceedings Royal Society of Vic-
toria," vol. xvi. (N.S.), part 2, from the Society ; Agricultural
Gazette of New Sotith Wales, February and March, 1904, from
the Secretary for Agriculture, Sydney; "Forest Flora of New
South Wales," by J- H. Maiden, F.L.S., from Department of
Lands, Sydney ; " Memoirs of the Geological Survey of New
South Wales :' Monograph of the Cretaceous Invertebrate Fauna,"
by R. Etheridge, jun., from the Department of Mines and Agri-
culture, Sydney ; " Annual Report Smithsonian Institute,"
1901, from the Institute ; Nature Notes, January and February,
1904, from the Selborne Society, London.

GENERAL BUSINESS.

The hon. secretary announced that the Royal Society of Vic-
toria had decided at their meeting in April next to present to

162 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

Mr. A. W. Howitt, F.G.S., the Mueller medal, which was awarded
him for distinguished work in natural science, by the Australasian
Association for the Advancement of Science, at the Dunedin
session in January last. He had been asked by the Royal
Society to bring the' matter before that meeting of the Club, with
a view to holding a joint meeting with the Royal Society for
that purpose. He mentioned that Mr. Howitt was one of the
honorary members of the Club, and is the first recipient of the
Mueller medal, and moved — " That, in conjunction with the
Royal Society of Victoria, a special meeting of the Club be
called on the occasion of the presentation of the Mueller medal
to Mr. Howitt." Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., seconded the motion,
which was carried unanimously.

Mr. G. A. Keartland drew attention to an announcement in
the daily press that tiie Government had decided to revert to the
old dates for the close season for quail and ducks. In December
last, owing to the representations made by sportsmen and others,
and against the strong protestations made by representatives of
the Club, the Minister of Public Works altered the dates for the
opening of the shooting season from ist February to 27th
December for ducks and for quail divided the State into two
divisions, and altered the date from ist April to ist February
north of the Dividing Range, and 7th March on the south. The
numerous protests from all parts of the State against this
alteration have compelled the (jovernment to revert to the former
dates, which were adopted by a former Minister from a list
submitted by this Club.

The chairman remarked that in view of the active interest
taken in this matter by the members, it was gratifying to learn
that the Government, acting on the advice tendered by this Club,
had decided to revert to the former dates.

Mr. G. Coghill stated that the reference to Prostanthera
walteri in the botany of the Fuiffalo Camp-out (Vict. Nat., vol.
XX., p. 154) was incorrect, as he had noticed the shrub in several
localities on the mountain.

PAPERS.

By Mr. ]. A. Leach, entitled "On the Occurrence of the
Mosquito, ' Anopheles,' in Victoria."

The author in a very interesting paper, illustrated by several
diagrams, detailed the life-history of a species of " Anopheles,"
probably A. ammlipes, Walk., which he had found to occur
commonly in various parts of the State, and especially in the
vicinity of Melbourne. After describing the habits as observed
by himself, he drew attention to the statement in Theobald's
monograph that Victoria is the only district where malaria occurs
from whence collections have been received which contained no
" Anopheles." He was able to furnish evidence to prove that

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 163

while Victoria is free from malaria, " Anopheles " occurs
commonly. He expressed the opinion that it would not be
a difficult matter to eradicate the mosquito by draining or
treating with kerosene all standing water, and introducing into
permanent water-pools, dams, &c., small fish, water insects, frogs,
&c.

Mr. F. G. A. Barnard congratulated the author on the import-
ance of his discovery, and also Miss F. Bage on the able
manner in which she had executed the drawings to illustrate the
paper.

Mr. J. Shephard spoke of the value of Mr. Leach's obser-
vations, but thought that the extermination of the mosquito
would be a very difficult matter to carry out successfully.

Mr. J. A. Kershaw, F.E.S., stated that the National Museum
collection contained specimens of " Anopheles " collected near
Melbourne fully thirty years ago ; others were obtained from
Dandenong, Victoria, over twenty years ago.

Mr. T. S. Hall, M.A., mentioned that Khartoum, once stricken
with malaria, has become free through the mosquitoes being
killed off with kerosene.

Mr. G. A. Keartland and the chairman also spoke to the paper.

Mr. Barnard apologized for not being prepared to read his
paper, which he stated would be ready for the next ordinary
meeting.

NATURAL HISTORY NOTES.

The chairman, Mr. D. Le Souef, mentioned the breeding of
the Partridge Bronzewing Pigeons in the Zoological Gardens.
He also mentioned that specimens of the immature males of the
Satin Bovver-bird in the Gardens were showing the change of
plumage from the young to the adult.

Mr. G. A. Keartland stated that a Minorca fowl, which some
time ago commenced to gradually develop white feathers, is now
almost white.

EXHIBITS.

By Mr. F. Chapman, A.L.S. — Graptolites (Monograptus), from

the Silurian, bank of Saltwater River, near Keilor, collected on

- Club excursion, March, 1904; also CythereMa jrunctala, G. S.

Brady, a bivalved Ostracoda, obtained on recent Club excursion

to Beaumaris. First occurrence for Victoria.

By Miss S. W. L. Cochrane. — Orchid, Plerostijlis grandiflora,
from Kilmore.

By Mr. Geo. Coghill. — Longicorn beetle, Tryphocarla mastersi,
from Canterbury.

By Mr. P. C. Cole. — Fine specimen of Stone Tomahawk, from
Willandra, N.S.W.

By Mr. C. French, jun. — Remarkable cocoon formed inside an

164 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

ordinary tumbler by caterpillar of Wattle Goat-moth, Zeuzera
eucalypti.

By Mr. G. A. Keartland. — Eggs of White-breasted Shrike-Tit
and Frontal Shrike-Tit.

By Mr. J. A. Leach. — Life-history of mosquitoes, Culex (pupae
and adult) and Anopheles (larvse).

By Mr. A. Mattingley. — Echinoderm, Asterina exlgua, from
Western Port, Vic.

By Mr. G. B. Nicholls. — Satin Bower-birds, Pfilonorhyncluis
vioJaceus, male and female, mounted, showing change of plumage
ill male, from Rubicon River, Thornton ; Night-Heron, Nycticorax
caledoiiicits, mounted, from Goulburn Valley, Thornton ; skin
of Lewin's Rail, Hypotcenidia hrachipus, Goulburn Valley,
Thornton.

By Mr. F. Pitcher, for Director Botanic Gardens. — Flowers and
foliage of Acacia discolor, Willdenow, the Sunshine Acacia, E.
Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland ; Clianihus damjneri,
A. Cunii., Sturt's Desert Pea, Western Australia, grown at the
Melbourne Botanic Gardens.

By Mr. J. Shephard. — Photographs of geological sections at
Keilor, taken on Glub excursion, March, 1904.

By Master J. Tuckett.— Specimen of Trilobite, new species,
from Yan Yean.

By Mr. H. B. Williamson. — Dried specimens of Brachycome
calocarpa, F. v. M., Wickliffe, 11/03. New for S.W. Victoria.
Hypericum androscemum, L., Mirboo, Gippsland, and Apollo Bay
district, well established at both places. New for Victoria.
Plagianthus microphyllus, F. v. M., Lake Bolac, December, 1903.
New for S.W. Victoria. Schcenus sculptus, Boeckler, Hawkesdale,
December, 1903. New for S.W. Victoria. Ptilotns spatJailatus,
Poiret, Goulburn Valley, September, 1903. New for N.E.
Victoria. Ilelipterum pygmceum, Benth., Goulburn Valley, Sep-
tember, 1903. New for N.E. Victoria. Helipternm corymhi-
florum, Schlect., Goulburn Valley, September, 1903. New for
N.E. Victoria. Bartsia viscosa, L. (yellow flower), Apollo Bay
district, January, 1904. Naturalized and new for Victoria.
Mimulus gracilis, R. Br., Goulburn Valley, October, 1903. New
for N.E. Victoria. Lomatia longifolia, R. Br., Mitta Mitta River,
December, 1903. A variety with broad and entire leaves, pro-
bably rare. Forms of this plant have been met with in the
Kosciusko district, with narrow and entire leaves, but none with
such broad leaves without denticles. Ajuya australis, R. Br.,
Bright, October, 1902. New for N.E. Victoria..

After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 165

EXCURSION TO YAN YEAN.

The following reports were unavoidably omitted from the
report in the last Naturalist, page i6o.

On the same page the word Potomageton should read Pota-
mogeton.

Botany. — Altogether some thirty-three plants were found in
bloom. In a swampy brancii of the Plenty fine specimens of the
Loose-strife, Lythrum salicaria, w.ere growing, and some within
reach collected ; also L. hyssopifolium and Veronica gracilis.
Under the pines along the western side of the reservoir. Glycine
clanidestina was plentiful. Nearer the water grew the umbellifer
Uryngium vesicnlosnm, having a thistle-like appearance. At the
southern end of the lake, on some stony ground, grew Cussinia
theodori, Helicliryswrn obcordaiuni, and other shrubs in a part
which in the springtime would be worth visiting, and would
probably yield many specimens.- — K. Cowle.

Geology. — The Silurian rocks in the neighbourhood of Yan
Yean consist of brown sandstones, mudstones, and olive and blue
shales. These are in places highly fossiliferous. Some members
of the party visited the heaps of material which, nearly fifty years
ago, were thrown out of the shafts when excavating the tunnel
which conveys the water of the Plenty River into the reservoir.
After some hammering and sorting the following specimens were
secured, the most noteworthy being a fine Trilobite, found by
Master J. Tuckett, and a specimen of Hyolithes, of a species until
lately found only in Bohemia, found by Master W. D. Chap-
man : — Phacops, sp. ; Encrinvrus, sp. (fragments of pygidia
common) ; Chonetes, near melbournensis, Chap. ; Bellerophon,
sp. ; and Hyolithes novellns, Barrande. At the southern end of
the reservoir, in a cutting on the Arthur's Creek road, other frag-
mentary fossils were found, including a cast of a Murchisonia
and a small specimen of Retzia liopleura, M'Coy, sp., but time
did not allow of an extended search. — F. Chapman.

EXCURSION TO BEAUMARIS.

A party of twelve members of the Club visited Bt-aumaris on
Saturday, the 20th February, our main object being the collection
of various marine organisms such as might be carried home for
further observation under the microscope. The weather was very
pleasant, but the condition of the tide was particularly unfavour-
able, as there were only two hours before high water when we
arrived at our destination. We decided to devote the time to the
small inlets near at hand, rather than to the bay towards Mentone,
as we had at first intended if the tide had been favourable, since
the tide-streaks which can be gathered at the latter locality, con-

166 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

taining small shells and Foraminifera, would probably have been
dried and blown off before this. The rock-pools here siill
uncovered contained several of the usual seaweeds and corallines.
These on closer examination yielded a perfect harvest of
Copepoda, not yet determined, as well as the Sea Centipede,
Nereis. Samples of the water from the pools contained numerous
ciliated infusorians and several kinds of diatoms. Some dredging
in the pools resulted in the capture of several living Ostracoda of
the genus Xestoleberis, and a* single valve of a very interesting
ostracod, Cytherella j}U7ictala, G. S. Brady, was found in the
sediment of a lubeful of water. This latter form, although widely
distributed in Europe and the Pacific, is new to Victorian shores,
it having been found previously in Australian waters in Port
Jackson by the Challenger, and off the Great Barrier Reef by the
Gazelle. Only a single specimen of a foraminifer fell to our net,
namely, Polystomella crisjja, and this was dead and rather the
worse for wear. The shell beach towards Ricketts Point was
next searched for shells, but as the tide was nearly full the only
perfect shells obtained were Vemis (Chione) strigosa and Tellina
decussata. The incoming tide had washed up, in one place, a
(quantity of brown, frothy material. Of this we took samples for
home examination under the microscope. We found it to be very
rich in living Diatomacese, including the following forms : —
Bacillaria, sp., Grammatophora Duirina, GyrosiyiiKi, sp., Licmo-
phora, sp., Nitzschia longissima and another species, Podosphenia,
sp,, Rhabdoneoia, sp., ISynedra, sp., and iStauroneis, sp. Re-
assembling for the return to town, we met the youthful members
of the party, who had organized a little trip of their own to the
cliffs to study fossilized marine zoology, and this had resulted in
their securing cetacean bones, fish teeth, and a fair collection of
tertiary shells. — F. ChapiMan.

AT PHILLIP ISLAND, WESTERN PORT.
(with lantern illustrations.)
By A. J. Campbell.
{Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, ICM Xor., 1903.)
Phillip Island and Mutton-birds are almost synonymous terms,
hence my remarks will deal almost entirely with that section of
the bird-life of the Island.

The pictures I shall have pleasure in showing you this evening
are the results of three trips — two in the spring and one in the
autumn — to Phillip Island. For the sake of convenience they
may be divided geographically into three groups or sets —
(i) The neighbouriiood of Cape Wollomai, at the eastern end;
(2) the site of the 1902 Ornithologists' Camp on the Back Beach

THE ViOTOKlAN NATUKALlSt. 167

at the Narrows ; and (3) the neighbourhood of the Nobbies, at
the western extremity of the island.

You may reach Wollomai by taking a saiHng boat from either
Hastings or Stony Point, and, running out at the narrow eastern
entrance of Western Port at San Remo, land in a snug sandy
bight under Red Point, about 25^ miles from the latter place,
the most convenient place to camp ; or you may take the regular
steamer which meets the train at Stony Point, land at San Remo,
or rather Newhaven, opposite, and make overland for the Cape.

I shall never forget the last time I passed out of this eastern
entrance. It was very early (about 2 o'clock) one bright moon-
light morning. We were comfortably camped on the deck of a
cutter, and had just left behind (coming from the mouth of the
Bass River) a mud bank, where the night voices of various birds
— Sea Curlews, (Ireenshanks, Plovers, Cormorants, Swans, Ducks,
&c. — -sounded strangely in our ears. As we passed by San Remo,
a favourite resort, borne on a swiftly-ebbing tide, all was silent
and asleep. What a picturesque weirdness there seemed about
the scene. The buildings sheltered by the dark and dense
foliage of banksia trees, here some in shadow, there the roofs,
dew-laden, shining like sheets of silver in the moonlight !

On the same trip we had tents pitched and all luggage
ashore near Cape Wollomai by sunrise. Our quarters were
exceedingly comfortable, being sheltered by two stunted tea-trees
with tops like umbrellas, which threw a grateful shade. Here,
shielded from the meridian sun, we used to recline, clothed only in
our pyjamas (a heat wave was on at this particular time), drinking
delicious billy tea, or an occasional lemon squash. At the rear
we were protected by a sand dune covered with scrub, tussock-
grass, bracken, &c., while our front was towards the beach, and
at night it was delightful to be lulled to sleep by the sound of the
sea so near. Fresh water in sufficient quantity was handy. At
intervals along the steep shore, water as clear as crystal issues
from tiny springs.

Other can^ps were near. During our stay about twelve or
thirteen boats arrived with egging parties from different parts of
Western Port. The largest of these parties numbered eleven.
Four-horse conveyances came by way of Newhaven, thence along
the strand when the tide was out. There were also several
visitors, including ladies, on horseback.

After an early breakfast (6 o'clock) we started to explore the
Mutton-bird rookeries, and found a few birds were in their
burrows and had laid. The burrows, like rabbit warrens, extend
over many acres of the Cape plateau, under a covering of hore-
hound (an introduced plant), pig-face weed (Mesembryan-
themum), adorned with small pink flowers, sword and tussock
grass, &c., the chief rookeries being nearest the sea. You can

168 THE VICTOKIAN NATUliALlST.

always tell when you are on a good rookery. The stronger the
odour of the live guano, and the more pungent the musty smell
of the sea-birds themselves, the better the rookery, because the
more plentiful the eggs.

Cape Wollomai, seen from a distance, seems naked and bald.
The summit is reached from the inland side by a series of
undulations, which once climbed you stand 332 feet above
sea-level, peering over a rugged and frowning bluff. The Cape in
its broadest part is about i yi miles across. As may be expected,
from this coign of vantage a most magnificent panorama of land
and water can be obtained.

We found it convenient to work the rookeries morning and even-
ing, resting in camp when the day was warmest. There are two
advantages in turning out of camp soon after daylight. It is the
most pleasant time for egg-gathering, and you get the choice of
rookeries when " foreigners " are about. You arm yourself with
a crook — i.e., a staff' of thin swamp tea-tree, about 5 feet long, with
a crook made of fencing wire at the end. This instrument you
introduce into a burrow, which extends from 2 feet to 6 feet,
usually in a diagonal direction, in the sandy soil. If the bird is
at home it will rap sharply the end of the crook with its bill.
Then you commence to fence with the hidden bird and to feel
for its egg (only one being laid) till by practice you soon learn,
by a turn of the wrist, to hook the egg and gently draw it to the
surface. So on from hole to hole. Of course, many holes are
vacant. Others contain birds that have not laid, and these are
sometimes hooked instead of an egg. When a bird is so hooked
it is needless to state it is just as well to keep your hands out of
the way of its beak and claws, or there may be torn flesh, and
most probably language both "frequent and free." The eggs
are gathered into baskets, buckets, billies, &c. It is interesting
watching eggers at work. The most comfortable position is
bending on one knee when plying your crook in the burrows.
Others prefer laboriously bending their backs instead of their knees
when raking a burrow, while some sit down in a buiness (or,
rather, unbusiness) way at work. Occasionally you come
accross a small party of ladies, gloved and veiled, deftly using
their egg-crooks.

Our party killed three snakes, and saw as many more which
made their escape. One is somewhat startled when withdrawing
an egging stick to see a Copper-head dart past one's hand.
Almost every egging party reported adventures with snakes.
Large Blue-tongued Lizards were plentiful. Several eggs left
in camp were cleanly sucked by these gaunt saurians whilst we
were away. We caught one in the very act, and wishing to take
his photograph we wiped some narcotic juice from a dirty pipe
across his mouth, and he posed quite gently — stupefied.

THK VICTORIAN NAJUKAL-lSl . 169

The Mutton-bird has characteristics which render it a remark-
able creature. It is properly known as the Short -tailed or Sooty
Petrel, Puffinus ienuirostris, Temminck. It is of a uniform dusky
colour, web-footed, and about the size of a small duck. Its
food is chiefly molluscs, crustaceans, &c. Thousands upon
thousands annually visit Phillip Island, as well as other places
in Bass Strait, to breed. Miles upon miles the flocks extend.
The punctuality with which the birds arrive is truly wonderful.
From about 13th to i6th September they first appear, to clean
out their burrows, and presumably to mate. About the first
week in November all go forth to sea again. The return of the
birds, both male and female, the latter to lay, commences about
the 1 8th November, and continues each evening for about ten
days, the great mass of arrivals being possibly the 25th or 26th.
The incoming of the birds at dusk is a marvellous sight.

Let me endeavour, feebly perhaps, to describe just one spot in
the general scerie. I have been Mutton-birding in three States,
and after several species, but gained my first experiences on old
Wollomai long ago. First impressions, like " first love," are best
remembered. We are on the crown of the Cape, with the surf
coiling in gently below. The sun has set. We sit in anxious
expectation to be introduced to our feathered friends. Precisely
at 35 minutes after sundown one bird darts in from seaward
like an arrow ; but " one swallow does not make a summer."
Presently a fevv more fly around, then dozens come, then
hundreds, and, however incredible it may seem, then thousands.
Such a scene is difificult to describe, more difticult to explain.
In the dim gloaming, lit up by a new-horned moon, myriads of
dusky feathered forms are cutting the air and circling in all
directions with lightning-like rapidity, their flight resembling that
of ^Vild Ducks, very swift. We stand behind some bushes as the
birds whizz past. Two or more may be coming in the direction
of any of us, who launches out with his egging crook at the first
form; it is by like a Swift. He stiikes a yard or two behind it,
while the next bird nearly lilts his hat. However, at times the
air is so thick that it would be well nigh impossible to miss a
bird were you to strike. By dark the majority of birds have
landed, and the whole place seems literally alive with feathers,
and such a noise — flapping of wings along the ground, pattering
of webbed feet, rustlings through grass and bushes ; while
hundreds of birds are underground, croaking, squeaking,
wrangling. So on the livelong night. The place is never still.
Many birds appear to keep upon the ground ; others are on the
wing the whole night long, judging by their squealing cries
o'erhead.

On a subsequent occasion, and after waking suddenly from a
nap enjoyed on the lee side of an outcrop of rock, our surround-

170 TMB VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

ings seem utterly strange and weird. The subterranean squealing
and croaking of birds are unabated. We walk abroad in the
crisp clear air preceding the dawn. Birds scuttle to right and to
left from underneath the tussocks as we pass. One or two eggs
are picked up on the surface, evidently deposited in a hurry.
The outgoing of the birds at dawn is as wonderful as their
incoming in the dusk. At about half-past 3 o'clock, or just
as day is breaking, birds begin to depart seawards. We take up
positions on the edge of the cliff to witness this interesting leave-
taking. Birds in ones or twos vvaddle up, or sneak silently
through the grass like rats, then spreading their wings to catch
the breeze, take a short run, launch over the cliff, and disappear
into the gloom to seaward. .Sometimes on reaching the edge of
the cliff they congregate awhile, and then gradually, one by one,
making a neat spring off tip-toe, sail away. This performance
finishes about 4 o'clock.

Now for the Narrows, and incidentally the scene of the recent
(1902) headquarters camp of the Australasian Ornithologists'
Union. This outing extended over a week, and about 30
persons, including a number of ladies, took part in it.

As the Association (Union) is a national one for the study and
protection of native birds, it has already received Government
recognition. The Hon. the Minister of Public Works, on the
recommendation of Mr. C. W. Maclean, kindly granted such
members as cared to travel by the Government steamer Albert
(which was on a buoying cruise to Western Port) passages gratis,
with the heavier baggage of the camp. The rest of the party
proceeded overland by train, steamer, and conveyance to the
site of the camp.

The camp (8 tents) was splendidly situated, part sheltered
'neath a banksian grove and part in a tea-tree brake, with a well
of sweet water in the midst, and a Mutton-bird rookery in the
sand dunes at the rear, between the camp and the Back Beach.
The sandy rises, riddled with rabbit-like burrows, mostly contain-
ing birds, were of course the chief centre of attraction. At dusk
every evening a move was generally made for points of vantage
to watch the home-coming of the interesting wandering birds.
The usual bird pandemonium continued all night. Indeed, so
great were the nocturnal noises near one of the tents (occupied
by ladies) that at one time it was deemed necessary to remove
the tent to a quieter quarter. But it is wonderful what one
can really get used to.

The amusement of egging was carried on during the day,
chiefly to supply the larder. Mutton-bird eggs fried are a great
delicacy, and were enjoyed by all in camp. The weight of an
egg varies from 3 ozs. to 3^ ozs., or four about equal the weight
of six domestic fowls' eggs.

THK VlOTOKlAJS NATURALIST. 171

You will remember in our trip to Wollomai I gave you the date
of arrivals of the birds in spring. Now we may come to the history
of the egg and the final departure of the birds, both young and old,
in autumn. After the pure white egg is deposited by the female,
she goes to sea for a week to recruit and grow fat and saucy,
while her lord takes his domestic turn and sits steadfastly on the
egg. He goes out the following week, and they proceed, turn and
turn about, for eight weeks, till the precious chick is hatched.
The young are fed in the burrows for about three months, till
about the middle of April. Just fancy what a strange existence
for the happy, or unhappy, chick, to be reared in a sandy burrow
for three long months, and to be alone every day from dawn till
dark ! The young are curious-looking objects, clothed in long,
dark down, with black bill and eyes, and feet to match. At a
certain stage a young bird will weigh about 3^ lbs., and be
heavier than either of its parents, who at this stage desert it and
proceed to sea for good. The youngsters will then thrive on
their own fatty nature for a week or so ; quills and feathers
sprout, and the birds becoming hungry, and having learnt to
stretch their own new wings, proceed to follow their parents.
Quitting Bass Strait, all will disperse for the winter over the
milder waters of the Pacific, some of the birds wandering even
up to Japanese waters before returning in crowds to Phillip
Island again the following nesting season. How marvellous,
without chart or compass to roam the western Pacific from north
to south, and without calendar to return to land again almost
to a day to lay !

From the rises near our camp you may see in the distance,
looking westward, what is locally known as the Pyramid — a
pinnacle of rock rising from an outlying reef. To reach the
spot you have to take the road, which runs out from the back of
Cowes, for about six miles. Close by, on Red Cliff, about
150 ft. above the sea, is a rookery, formerly about two acres in
extent, but which has somewhat sunk in size by over-raiding by
egging parties. The authorities have wisely prohibited egging
here for the next few years.

I will now conclude with the third and last group of pictures.
Up betimes in the morning, we head away westerly towards the
Nobbies, which are 12 miles distant from Cowes. The shire
council is to be commended for the good roads it has constructed
to all the more interesting parts of the island. On the way we
pass a native garden of grass-trees ; the flowers, nectar laden,
were attracting numbers of insects — a paradise for the ento-
mologist. Bowling merrily along, we perceive the native timber
— nowhere tall — thins out, giving place to open, undulatory rises
of coarsely grassed land, while the hollows hold tea-tree tracts,
and an occasional swamp or lagoon. The only cultivations

172 THE VICTOKIAN NATURALIST.

noticed are chicory plantations, for which the island has a
reputation of its own. After the opening and shutting of many
gates the track now lies between Swan Lake and the sandhills of
Cat Bay. The lake, true to name, has a pretty family of Black
Swans upon it. At one point the sand dunes are encroaching
upon its shore. The planting of marram grass, as has been done
successfully in other places on the island, would stay the shifting
sand from spoiling an ornamental sheet of water and a sure
retreat for wild fowl. At length arriving on the extreme western
headland, Point Grant, we find the tide favourable — going out —
and are able to scramble dry-shod over the reef, and scale the
side of the Nobby, a rotund islet about loo ft. high. Its
summit and southern slope are closely clothed with green,
succulent ice-plant and pig-face weed. The latter, trailed in
tresses over the cliff, is beautiful, both flowers and foliage being
ablush with pinkish tint. Probing with our sticks the holes under
the herbage discovers brooding Mutton-birds and Penguins.
The Little Nobby, immediately between the Big Nobby and the
mainland, is, however, the most convenient place to see the
Penguins at home, sitting in shallow hollows upon a pair of
eggs or dusky-coloured chicks. Like the Mutton-birds, the
young of the Penguins are full grown at autumn, when they
don a beautiful blue coat, enhanced with silvery-white under-
parts.

Returning to our vehicles on the hill, we find it time to boil the
billy for mid-day meal. There is no fresh water hereabouts, but
we had provided for that contingency. Retracing our steps
homeward, some of our party strolled round Cat Bay — so named,
it is said from the fact that Bass, the explorer and discoverer of
Western Port, lost a cat there. You will doubtless remember
(it is only 105 years ago) that he and his party coasted round
from Sydney in an open whaleboat in 1798. They were putting
ashore in search of fresh water, when pussie sprang first into the
scrub, and was never seen again.

Some of us proceed to Flynn's rookery, which is on the sand
dunes between a small i)icturesque lagoon and the inner beach
of Western Port. Judging by the presence of a pungent odour
of guano, the place is fairly frequented by Mutton-birds. A few
eggers are at work, but as the burrows are deep, some quite
6 feet in length, and well protected by a natural covert of rushes,
tussock-grass, bracken, and other coarse vegetation, the birds
probably have the best of it. About half a mile further on
(eastward) is M'Haffie's rookery, which is similar in si^e and
extent to Flynn's, and even more protected with scrub, as well
as grass. This rookery derives its name from the original
lessee of the island, Mr. J. D. M'Hafifie, who settled here about
1845. Evidences of the old homestead are still standing, while

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 173

the imported pines look strange towering above the native
trees.

All things have an end, or, rather, I should say there is no end
to the delights of Phillip Island if you go round and round it.
But we must, for the present at least, say to its many pleasant
places — Farewell.

NOTES ON COLOUR-VARIATIONS OF TWO SPECIES
OF VICTORIAN BUTTERFLIES.

By. Jas. a. Kershaw, F.E.S.
{Read before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 8th Feb., 1904.)
While collecting on the hills in Gippsland, between Trafalgar
and Thorpdale, in December, 1901, I was very fortunate in taking
several well-marked dark varieties of our Common Brown Butterfly,
Heteront/mpha merope, Fabr. This species was particularly
numerous at the time, and as usual the males greatly pre-
dominated. My attention was first attracted to a particularly
dark variety of a female, which settled on the ground within two
or three yards from me, but, greatly to my regret, it took to the
wing before I was able to approach near enough to use my net,
and rising up among the tree-tops was soon lost to sight.

I was close enough, however, to see that it was an unusually
dark specimen, with quite the outer two-thirds of both the fore
and hind wings suffused with blackish-brown, and showing no
trace of usual light markings in the black of the fore-wings. The
under side of the wings was also strongly suffused with blackish-
brown.

This, as far as I could judge from the glimpse I had, seems to
agree with the female taken by Mr. G. A. Waterhouse at
Bowral, N.S.W., and described by the late Mr. F. A. A. Skuse
as Heteiompnpha •mero'pe, Fabr., var. suffusa, on p. 13 of the
" Proceedings of the Entomological Society of London " for 1895.

I spent some hours in searching the locality, in the hope of
seeing it again, but, though I examined scores of females, I did
not find one showing any perceptible variation.

For m,y long search, however, I was rewarded by the capture of
the dark varieties of the males described below, and curiously
enough, these were all taken within a short distance of the spot
where I saw the dark female.

Although I devoted the remainder of the day searching for
further specimens, and during the two days following travelled
over some miles of similar country, examining hundreds of these
butterflies, I did not meet with any more examples of this
interesting variety.

It is well known that the " Browns " have a tendency to vary
in the manner described, and I have no doubt that if closer

174 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

examination were made by collectors, especially in the mountain
districts, these dark forms would be more frequently met with.

As I am not aware, however, of this variety of the male of
H. merope having been described before, 1 have thought it of
sufficient interest to place it on rocord.

I have also taken this opportunity to add the description of a
similarly dark form of a male of //. jihileropfi, Boisd., which has
been in the collection of the National Museum for many years,
together with a few notes on the variation of this species.

Heteronympha merope, Fabr.

Var.A. — Fore-wings. — Upper side. — The basal half as in typical
form, the markings, however, being rather suffused. Remainder
of wings strongly suffused with blackish-brown, which extends
along the costa and dorsum almost to base. The usual orange-
brown markings are very slightly indicated by very small suffused
patches on veins 2 and 3, a rather more distinct spot below
ocelli, and a faint patch below costa at two-thirds. Ocelli
very indistinct, with a very small bluish-white central dot.
Under side. — Almost as equally suffused as upper side, but with
apex paler. Ocelli suffused, and without the surrounding black
ring. Thorax and abdomen darker than in typical form.

Ilind-ivings. — Upper side. — The basal half to just beyond cell
and along the dorsum as in typical form, except that the cell is
almost completely occupied with a suffused dark patch.
Remainder of wings blackish-brown, the ocelli being fairly
distinct, but with the marginal ring present only on the inner edge.
Under side. — The dark suffusion as on upper side, though not
so intense nor extending quite to the margin. The usual wavy
line running through cell is only indicated by three suffused
broad patches. Ocelli without the marginal ring.

Var. B. — Similar to A, though more generally suffused. The
dark suffusion extends further in cell of fore-wings, while it is
almost absent in that of hind-wings. The ocelli of hind-wings is
completely encircled with the orange-brown ring.

Var. C. — Approaching the typical form, but with the markings
suffused, especially on hind-wings. Fore-wings. — All the dark
markings beyond the cell extend to the dark marginal band,
which is much broader than in typical form. The ocelli are
represented by small black spots without the usual bluish-white
iris. Under side. — As in typical form, but the dark markings
rather broader and somewhat suffused.

Hind-wings. — ^The dark markings on outer half of wings
coalesce and form a broad marginal band extending from costa
to dorsum, and running inwards in centre to end of cell, but not
enclosing ocelli, which are as in typical form. Under side. —
Markings as on upper side, but very pale and indistinct.

THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 175

Var. D. — Though showing the typical markings, this specimen
has a peculiar dull, suffused appearance, as though rubbed, and
possesses an additional half-developed ocellus in each hind-wing.

Another male specimen, which was taken on French Island,
Western Port, and is in the collection of Mr. G. Lyell, jun., has
the upper wings very dark ; the brown patches surrounding the
ocelli at apex are absent, and the other brown markings reduced
to mere lines. Hind-wings all black except the disc and inner
margin.

Heteronympha philerope, Boisd.

Male. — Fore-v)ings. — Cpper side. — The markings on basal half
as in typical form ; the usual broad median fascia dark orange-
brown ; the remainder suffused with blackish-brown, with a row
of three small patches of dark orange-brown running parallel to
termen below the ocelli. Ocelli indistinct, with bluish-white iris.
Under side. — With basal half and apex as in typical form, the
remainder with markings suffused as on upper side, but paler.

Hind-vnngs. — Upper side. — The base and terminal half suffused
with blackish-brown ; a broad rather suffused dark orange-brown
fascia extending from costa and occupying outer half of cell,
thence narrowly extending towards, but not connecting with,
dorsum, which is also orange-brown. The ocellus near tornus
fairly distinct, slightly edged on inner side with orange-brown ; a
similar one near apical angle represented by little more than a
minute whitish dot. Under side. — As in typical form, but rather
suffused.

A very variable character in this species is the black transverse
band which runs from the costa to the tornus. In some
specimens it connects at its centre with the black spot in cell,
and also with the short transverse bar below centre of cell, while
in others it is not connected. Of six females examined, all are
thus connected ; while of thirteen males only six are connected,
though the remainder show intermediate stages.

Another variable character is the size of the sub-apical ocelli of
hind-wings. These can be found varying from a minute black
dot in some specimens to a white-centred ocellus as large as
that near tornus in others, 'i'here is also a tendency, in some
specimens, towards the development of a second smaller sub-
apical spot.

Personal. — We learn with pleasure that Mr. F. Spry, F.N.C.,
has been appointed to a vacancy on tlie staff of the National
Museum. Air. Spry's accurate powers of observation, both in
entomology and geology, should stand him in good stead in his
new Dosition.

176 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST.

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE GENUS DROMICIA ON THE AUSTRALIAN
MAINLAND.

To the, Editor oj the Victorian Naturalist.

Sir, — In the "Records of the Australian Museum," vol. v.. No.
2, p. 134, published in January last, Mr. E. R. Waite records the
capture of Droinicia nana from the Snowy River country in New
South Wales. From his remarks it would seem that he is under
the impression that this is the first authentic record of this
Tasmanian species on the mainland, Krefft's D. unicolor {= D.
nana) having been regarded by Thomas (Brit. Mus. Cat.,
Marsup. and Monot.) as introduced. As a matter of fact its
occurrence has been , previously noted, and it is evidently still
widely spread in the south-east of the continent.

In his presidential address to Section D, at the Hobart meet-
ing of the Australasian Association in 1892, Professor Baldwin
Spencer noted D. nana as occuring in southern Victoria. In the
"Report of the Horn fc^xpedition (1896)," p. 184, the same
author, in a footnote, records its capture at Gembrook by Mr.
Dudley Le Souef, on the Pllacks Spur by himself, and at Sale by
Mr. A. Purdie. The Blacks Spur specimen is now in the
Biological Department's Museum, and Mr. Purdie's example was
examined by Professor Spencer and myself.

Dr. R. Broom, in the " Proceedings of the Linnean Society of
New South Wales," in 1896, places it on record that he " found
a large number of both lower and upper jaws " of D. nana in a
bone breccia deposit near the Wombeyan Caves.

In 1 89 7, Mr. A. H. S. Lucas, in his paper on " The Geo-
graphical Distribution of the Land and Freshwater Vertebrates
in Victoria " (Proc. Roy. Soc. Vic, vol. ix., p. 40) repeats the
record for this State. — I have, &c.,

T. S. HALL.
University, 21st March, 1904.

Mosquitoes. — The School Papers, published monthly by the
Victorian Education Department for the use of the scholars in
the State schools, often contain articles of interest to children of
a larger growth. Thus the February and March issues of the
paper for Classes V. and VI. contain articles descriptive of the
life-history of the mosquito from the pen of Mr. J. A. Leach,
F.N.C., which are well illustrated and worthy of perusal.

mA),

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